Western Bulldogs set to poach St Kilda forward Josh Bruce

Josh Bruce is set to partner Aaron Naughton and Josh Schache in the Western Bulldogs’ attack next season unless St Kilda makes a late play to keep the popular goalkicker.

The Western Bulldogs are on the verge of poaching St Kilda forward Josh Bruce with a lucrative multi-year deal.

The Bulldogs have made a strong play for the versatile big man and are preparing to table an offer he cannot refuse in next month’s trade period.

Bruce, 27, is contracted for one more season at Moorabbin, but could secure a three or four-year deal to cross to the kennel.

The Saints are aware of the Bulldogs’ interest in the popular goalkicker but are yet to make significant moves to keep Bruce.

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It means the 197cm forward is most likely on the move to join the premiership tilt under Luke Beveridge for next season, unless St Kilda tables a considerable extension over the next few weeks.

Bruce enjoyed another productive season despite some injury niggles this year, booting 36 goals from 22 games.

He ranked first at the club for contested marks (43) and was second for marks inside 50m (40), goals and hitouts in 2019.

Bruce, who started his career at GWS, has close links to the Bulldogs through chief executive Ameet Bains, from their time at the Saints together.

Josh Bruce appears headed to the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Michael Klein

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But the Dogs would have to satisfy the Saints in a trade to nab the 113-gamer.

Another top-30 draft pick could be important for St Kilda, however, which currently has only one selection (No.5) inside the top 50 and is plotting moves for Fremantle’s Bradley Hill, Sydney’s Zak Jones and Adelaide’s Alex Keath.

The Bulldogs are preparing to be one of the most aggressive clubs in this year’s trade period with the Dogs also circling Gold Coast playmaker Jack Martin.

The Dogs have money to spend to bolster their squad after missing out on Chad Wingard, who crossed from Port Adelaide to Hawthorn last year.

The Bulldogs already have one of the best young midfields in the league and are arguably the most in-form team heading into the finals series.

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A youthful age profile suggests the Dogs will remain in the premiership hunt for an extended period under Beveridge, who this year signed a three-year contract extension.

At the Dogs, Bruce would partner gun spearhead Aaron Naughton and Josh Schache in attack and help out emerging young tall Tim English in the ruck.

Bruce was hampered by a serious back injury last year, playing only three games, but has since made a full recovery and has been part of the Saints’ leadership group.

But St Kilda is preparing to make major changes over the next few months to shake up its list after eight years out of the finals.

Josh Bruce is a popular member of the St Kilda side.

The club could part ways with Bruce and gun defender Jake Carlisle.

The Saints are keen to create room for 202cm goalkicker Max King to play from early next season, alongside Tim Membrey and potentially Josh Battle and Port Adelaide big man Paddy Ryder in the forward half.

St Kilda also has a strong interest in Max King’s twin brother Ben.

The Saints have tried to secure him in this trade period but will make another massive play for the big man when his contract expires in 12 months’ time.

King’s manager, Robbie D’Orazio, told the Herald Sun on Tuesday: “Ben King will be at Gold Coast next year”.

Originally published as Western Bulldogs set to poach St Kilda forward Josh Bruce