The Saints targeted tall defenders during the NAB AFL Trade Period and emerged with Bruce (196cm) and Delaney (194cm) who will undoubtedly bolster an undersized backline.
However, assistant coach Danny Sexton is just as excited about the upside in the club's young defenders, as well as the prospect of a fit group of senior players.
"Clearly with Bruce and Delaney being added it's going to make it competitive for spots, which is very healthy," Sexton told AFL.com.au.
"We've traded in and that part of our list has been bolstered, but I'm also looking forward to the emergence of (Nathan) Wright, (Jimmy) Webster and (Dylan) Roberton.
"I'm looking forward to Sam Fisher and Sam Gilbert having a good crack at it without being injured … and the continual improvement of Sean Dempster and Jarryn Geary, who had his best season last year.
"Then the guys who have been holding the backline together the last few years, say James Gwilt and Tom Simpkin, I'm looking forward to them improving."
As the Saints begin their search for a new senior coach, the club's assistant and development coaches have played a key role in designing and overseeing the club's early pre-season program.
Sexton, who was appointed the club's backline coach in 2012, said the defenders had clear areas to improve in ahead of next season.
"We're going to work on defending a little bit better in the air," he said.
"The last couple of years some tall opposition players have been able to get hold of us and the club's gone out and recruited in those areas.
"We've definitely got things we can work on, but we basically need to work on everything and get better in all areas."
Sexton said young defenders Wright and Webster had returned in impressive condition and their bodies had changed noticeably ahead of their second and third seasons respectively.
Meanwhile, newly appointed high performance manager Adam Basil has settled in at Seaford and outlined his key philosophies to the players.
"I'm looking forward to working with them, it's going to be an exciting time," he told saints.com.au.
"It's a very impressionable list; we're looking at building on something here and the challenge is going to be great.
"We're all very much looking forward to it."
Twitter: @AFL_Nathan
