Josh Bruce misses from point-blank range against Hawthorn

WE’RE not going to let Josh Bruce get away with blaming the goal umpire for this epic miss from five metres out against Hawthorn. WATCH THE VIDEO

Josh Bruce misses from the goalsquare against Hawthorn.

ST KILDA forward Josh Bruce has addressed his epic miss in yesterday’s clash with Hawthorn, saying he simply tried to kick the ball too hard as he ran into an open goal.

Bruce received a sweeping handball from teammate Jack Billings while in space at the top of the goalsquare during the final quarter of the match and commentators would have already been reaching for their pens to mark down a goal.

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Bruce took a few steps and kicked from about 5m out in the centre of the goalsquare under no pressure but somehow miscued, the ball cannoning into the right goal post.

Richmond legend Kevin Bartlett labelled it “the worst miss in the history of the AFL” during his call of the game with SEN radio.

Bruce said even he could not believe what happened.

“I don’t know. I tried to kick it back to Melbourne I think and the goal umpire was kind of in the way there as well,” Bruce told Channel 9 on Sunday morning.

“I just tried to kick it way too hard and it came off the instep so pretty embarrassing.”

The miss did not cost the Saints too greatly as they were 60 points up at the time with just under nine minutes to go in the final quarter.

But we’re tipping Bruce — who finished the game with 3.2 from 10 disposals and seven marks — won’t hear the end of it anytime soon.

Originally published as Josh Bruce misses from point-blank range against Hawthorn