Bruce joined the club in 1939 and worked his way through the junior, colts and senior boy ranks before winning selection in the premier team as an 18-year old in 1950.

He went on to play 17 seasons in the top grade, finally calling it quits in 1966. The very next year he reinvented himself as a coach. He started with eth under-21's, moved on to the senior Cs and eventually took over the premiers who he coached for three seasons, co-coaching them for a further two years. He was also the senior's manager for one year.