St Kilda is using Western Bulldogs premiership to inspire them in 2017, says Josh Bruce

ST KILDA is taking inspiration from premiers the Western Bulldogs and is daring to dream in 2017, according to forward Josh Bruce.

Josh Bruce says St Kilda is inspired by the Western Bulldogs premiership run.

ST KILDA is taking inspiration from the Western Bulldogs and is daring to dream in 2017.

Forward Josh Bruce said the team knows exactly what it needs to rectify next season if it is to take the next step and head up the ladder.

And what the Bulldogs were able to achieve this year just goes to show that “anything is possible”.

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“It was a pretty exciting story, wasn’t it?,” Bruce said.

“Absolutely (we’re inspired by it) - anything is possible.

“We’re just trying to improve on last year and obviously there were some areas of our game as a team that we need to improve - on the road, first and foremost, and the gap between our best and worst performances is still too great. Just that gradual improvement and anything is possible.”

Josh Bruce celebrates a goal. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Bulldogs players celebrate their Grand Final win. Picture: Toby Zerna

Now ex-skipper Nick Riewoldt was on running duties at Wednesday’s training session, with Bruce saying no replacement has been determined as yet.

Defender Jake Carlisle also ran laps and completed light kicking drills with the aim of ramping up to full training in the new year.

One who has impressed thus far this preseason is former Pie Nathan Brown, who Bruce said has hardly missed a session and is proving handy in more ways than one.

Recovery continues for Jake Carlisle. Expected back in full training early next year. @superfooty pic.twitter.com/GSq466g7ED

— Lauren Wood (@LaurenA_Wood) December 20, 2016

“Guys like Nathan Brown and (ex-Dog) Koby Stevens are really setting the standard,” he said.

“I’m playing on him week-in week-out which has been really good for me, because obviously he’s a really quality defender.

“I’m looking forward to getting Jake back in and testing my mettle against him as well.”

Nick Riewoldt on running duties this morning at @stkildafc. Been a big week for the now ex-skipper. Still no replacement. pic.twitter.com/SE54TUDBZT

— Lauren Wood (@LaurenA_Wood) December 20, 2016