Bruce fired up for Cats clash
Former Melbourne player Cameron Bruce is excited about facing Geelong for the first time as a Hawk
The former Demon, who has played all four matches so far in his first season in the brown and gold, believes the Cats clash will offer a good gauge as to how his new team is tracking.
"Geelong is undefeated, so any time you come up against an undefeated side that have been a benchmark for the last few years, that always gives you a great indication," Bruce said from the Hawks' super-clinic at Glenferrie Oval on Tuesday.
"We're definitely keen to go out and put our best foot forward."
Bruce is yet to experience first-hand the rivalry that has built with Geelong in recent years, fuelled by the Hawks' upset 2008 Grand Final win.
But, with star Cat Paul Chapman revealing on the weekend that he and several teammates had made a pact never to lose to Hawthorn again, Bruce expects the intensity in the match to be high.
"I'm sure as the week goes on, it'll be a nice build-up," Bruce said.
"It's a great rivalry and it'll be a great test for us. They'll definitely be up, and hopefully we are as well."
Having played 224 games over a decade with Melbourne, Bruce said the transition to a new club has, as he expected, been challenging.
The 31 year-old, averaging just over 16 disposals a match so far in 2011, expects to have a greater impact as he gets more familiar with his new teammates and coach Alastair Clarkson's structures.
"I'm trying to contribute in small ways and hopefully that will grow throughout the year," Bruce said.
"I'm starting to feel more and more comfortable as each week goes by and [I'm] really enjoying the environment, and winning.
"Hopefully my performance will lift as the season goes on."