The classy midfielder finished strongly to take out the closely contested award on 75 votes, ahead of fellow on-baller Brock McLean, who polled 60 votes, followed by Brad Green (57), Matthew Warnock (47), and James McDonald (46).
Bruce was the only Demon to play all 22 games in 2008 and averaged a team-high 25 possessions and five tackles.
He finished runner-up in 2006. In his acceptance speech, Bruce thanked his teammates, supporters, coaches, parents and wife Julia.
He said the Demons were embarking on a new chapter in the club’s rich history and the good times were sure to come after a disappointing 2008.
“It’s a changing of the guard, it’s exciting. We’ve got some bloody good young talent coming through...I’m very excited to be a part of it,” he said.
“Stick with us. You’ve got to start somewhere and the guys are putting in everything.”
McLean capped off a frustrating injury plagued season by taking home the Sid Anderson Memorial Trophy for finishing second in the best and fairest. He was an outstanding performer in the first half of the year, polling 60 votes in his first 14 games before a severe ankle injury ended his 2008 season.
In other awards presented on the night, number four draft pick, Cale Morton won the Harold Ball Memorial Trophy for the Best First Year Player, after playing 19 games in his debut season.
Young defender Clint Bartram received the inaugural Club Ambassador Award, which acknowledges a player's outstanding contribution in the area of community, player appearances and general ambassadorship of the club.
Brad Green was presented with the club's Leadership Award, and Adem Yze won the Troy Broadbridge Memorial Trophy for being the highest vote getter in the Sandringham best and fairest.
Matthew Warnock, who enjoyed a breakthrough season and finished fourth in the B&F count, was awarded with the Norm Smith Memorial Trophy – Coach's Award.
Departing greats David Neitz, Adem Yze, Jeff White and Ben Holland were also recognised for their dedicated services to the club.
In the Club's fourth Hall of Fame induction, six prominent figures of Melbourne’s history were celebrated for their contribution to the Melbourne Football Club.
Pioneers and Administrators were recognised with the induction of Joe Blair, chairman between 1929 and 1946, while long-time volunteer Dudley Phillips was hailed as an Unsung Hero of the Club. From playing ranks, 1964 premiership player Barry Bourke was inducted, followed by three of the greats of the late 1980s and 1990s in Greg Healy, Todd Viney and Sean Wight.
Final Result
Cameron Bruce 75
Brock McLean 60
Brad Green 57
Matthew Warnock 47
James McDonald 46
Brad Miller 40
Cale Morton 40
Clint Bartram 39
Paul Wheatley 39
Austin Wonaeamirri 39
Matthew Bate 38
Lynden Dunn 37
Colin Garland 30
Chris Johnson 25
Paul Johnson 24
Jeff White 24
Matthew Whelan 23
Nathan Jones 22
Colin Sylvia 22
Aaron Davey 20
Daniel Bell 19
Mark Jamar 18
Brent Moloney 16
Simon Buckley 14
Stef Martin 12
Russell Robertson 10
Jared Rivers 9
Nathan Carroll 8
James Frawley 6
Addam Maric 6
Adem Yze 6
Ben Holland 5
Shane Valenti 5
Michael Newton 4
Award Recipients
Norm Smith Memorial Trophy - Coach's Award – Matthew Warnock
Ian Ridley Club Ambassador Award – Clint Bartram
Ron Barassi Jnr Leadership Award – Brad Green
Harold Ball Memorial Trophy, Best First Year Player – Cale Morton
Troy Broadbridge Memorial Trophy – Adem Yze
