Bruce: "I've never seen a ruckman do things like that"

[Eastdog]

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/555304/bruce-i-ve-never-seen-a-ruckman-do-things-like-that-

Bruce: "I've never seen a ruckman do things like that"

Recruit Josh Bruce admits young ruckman Tim English has impressed him this pre-season.

If there’s one player who has surprised recruit Josh Bruce since he joined the Western Bulldogs, it’s Tim English.

The emerging ruckman enjoyed a breakout season in 2019 and Bruce believes he can take his game to another level this year, based on what he’s seen on the training track.

“I’m not really sure why (he surprised me) – he was just one of those players who flew under the radar for me,” Bruce told SEN1116 on Friday morning.

“I didn’t really comprehend his ability and how good he was.

“To realise he’s only 22 years old and to see the things that he’s doing as a big man, I’ve never seen a ruckman do things like that.

“I don’t want to put the mozz on him, but I think he’s primed to have a pretty a good season… He’s still very young and has a long way to go but his attitude is sensational.”

Bruce said he had noticed a different approach in his first pre-season with the Bulldogs.

The key forward was an early arrival to pre-season training, joining in with the first-to-fourth year players after being secured in a trade from St Kilda, and hasn’t missed a beat since heading west-side.

“There’s a lot more footy, that I’ve noticed. There’s a lot more skills and a lot more hands-on stuff than what I’ve previously been used to,” Bruce said.

“It took the quads a while to get used to that, I was pretty sore for a couple of weeks back in November.

“Since then it’s been really good. I’ve settled in well to the training program and haven’t missed a session so far, touch wood.”

[Eastdog]

Great words on Tim from Josh.

[Twodogs]

I like that he got in early and started training first week with the first years. That sort of attention to detail is important at a new club.

[Eastdog]

I like that he got in early and started training first week with the first years. That sort of attention to detail is important at a new club.

Yep very good attitude.

[Go_Dogs]

The wraps for Tim keep coming.

[Happy Days]

Bruce: "I've never seen a ruckman do things like that"


Given where he's played previously I don't doubt Bruce on this.

[Axe Man]

Given where he's played previously I don't doubt Bruce on this.

Considering he played with Rowan Marshall last season who had a great season I think it’s high praise for Tim.

[bornadog]

Good to see we do a lot of Skill work and hands on stuff. I heard Bruce early on when he arrived, saying how he was surprised because the Saints did alot more running in the early part of the pre-season.

[ledge]

Good to see we do a lot of Skill work and hands on stuff. I heard Bruce early on when he arrived, saying how he was surprised because the Saints did alot more running in the early part of the pre-season.

I remember when pre season was all about fitness back in the 80s , they wouldn’t touch a ball for months, stupid in my opinion, just shows how the saints haven’t moved forward in 40 years.
Would have thought ball work was what you couldn’t get enough of if you want to learn how to use it.

[Mofra]

I've suddenly decided that Bruce is an excellent judge of footballer.

[Twodogs]

I've suddenly decided that Bruce is an excellent judge of footballer.

Yep, he's brilliant. He has a big future in recruiting or stating the obvious.

[The Pie Man]

I remember when pre season was all about fitness back in the 80s , they wouldn’t touch a ball for months, stupid in my opinion, just shows how the saints haven’t moved forward in 40 years.
Would have thought ball work was what you couldn’t get enough of if you want to learn how to use it.

Was it Plough that changed all that in 97? Seem to remember hearing stories in the media how we trained with footys real early under Wallace (and it clearly paid dividends)

[GVGjr]

Was it Plough that changed all that in 97? Seem to remember hearing stories in the media how we trained with footys real early under Wallace (and it clearly paid dividends)

And players like Scott Wynd were not put in cotton wool like they were in previous seasons.
He either got very fit or Plough would play others.
Plough was ahead of the curve on many aspects and took a refreshing look to the normal practices.

[Mofra]

And players like Scott Wynd were not put in cotton wool like they were in previous seasons.
He either got very fit or Plough would play others.
Plough was ahead of the curve on many aspects and took a refreshing look to the normal practices.
I know he didn't leave in the best of circumstances but his "I'll spew up" speech really marked the start of a change in attitude at the club.

It's probably as influential as the "why not us" mantra Bevo introduced late in 2016.

IIRC his kids follow the Bulldogs.

[Bulldog4life]

Was it Plough that changed all that in 97? Seem to remember hearing stories in the media how we trained with footys real early under Wallace (and it clearly paid dividends)

Plough was also the first coach to do the warm up with footballs on the field before a match.

[comrade]

If English lives up to the pre-season hype, giddy the **** up!

[bornadog]

Plough was also the first coach to do the warm up with footballs on the field before a match.

Correct, and that idiot at the AFL (Hocking), tried to stop it last season, but the coaches complained

[Twodogs]

Plough was also the first coach to do the warm up with footballs on the field before a match.

He also had Jose Romero running laps of the ground before a game to warm up. Most coaches thought he was crazy "you'll wear him out. He will be tired out before the end of the game.

[Mofra]

If English lives up to the pre-season hype, giddy the **** up!
He's well ahead of where you expect a ruckman's development to be.
I was very heartened by the improvement in his marking game from the start to the end of the season last year.

I think we'll still lose hit-outs most weeks but what he offers around the ground will more than make up for it.

[bulldogtragic]

Crazy to think we got Tim in a premiership year. As a sample of recent premiership clubs and their first rounders:

2014: Hawks traded First Rounder for Jono O'Rourke
2015: Hawks drafted Kieran Lovell with First Rounder
2016: Dogs drafted Tim English with First Rounder
2017: Richmond drafted Jack Higgins with First Rounder