Josh Bruce has backed fellow St Kilda forward Paddy McCartin to eventually becomes the club’s leading centre half-forward and spend more time away from his traditional position closer to goal.
Bruce and McCartin formed a prolific partnership in the Saints’ demolition of Carlton by 92 points in the two club’s JLT Community Series clash at Ikon Park on Saturday.
Bruce kicked seven goals playing at full-forward in the big win, with McCartin taking 12 marks playing around the attacking 50 metre line, both players essentially swapping the positions they had played in recent seasons.
Bruce says that while the Saints will continue to tinker with the club’s forward line-up in the lead-up to their massive Round 1 clash against fellow finals aspirants Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, he expects that the successful setup used against the Blues will be employed often in the near future.
“Traditionally Paddy has played a little bit deeper than Tim (Membrey) and myself just purely based around our running capacities. We’ve got a bit more experience with our running and have a few more pre-seasons under our belt,” the St Kilda forward said on SEN Breakfast.
“On the weekend I played a little bit deeper than Paddy, he came up for the ball really well and took a game-high 12 marks on the lead.
“He’s pretty much unstoppable on the lead…He’s a beautiful field kick.
“He just seems a natural fit around the centre half-forward area. In today’s modern game you have got to get up and back so it will be good to work with him over the next couple of years.”
St Kilda’s final JLT Community Series clash will take place on Sunday March 12 at Albury’s Lavington Sports Ground, where they will take on the Sydney Swans.
Click here to view Paddy McCartin’s SEN Inside Football AFL Player Ratings.
Click here to view Josh Bruce’s SEN Inside Football AFL Player Ratings.