Western Bulldogs forward Josh Bruce is drawing closer to an AFL return, set to play for Footscray in the VFL on Friday night.
Bruce heartbreakingly suffered an ACL injury to his left knee in Round 21 of 2021, sidelined for the Bulldogs' finals campaign and the first half of this season.
The 30-year-old spoke to ABC Radio prior to Round 13, confirming that he had been cleared to return to full-contact training after months of rehab.
“I did some final testing (on Friday) at Victoria University and got cleared to train full-contact with the group from next week, which also means I’m clear to play,” Bruce said last week.
“My timeline will probably be that VFL game after the bye - so I’ll hopefully have a run around there if I’m feeling up to it.
“If I’m not feeling up to it in terms of my training and stuff, I’ll push it back a week but it’s up to me and up to the coaches now, which is exciting."
Josh Bruce and Lachie Hunter will return via the VFL for Footscray on Friday night
— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) June 15, 2022
Lachie Hunter is also set to run out on Friday night after taking an indefinite period of absence from the club to focus on personal issues.
The 27-year-old hasn't played a game for the Bulldogs since Round 5, a win over North Melbourne.
The 138-gamer resumed training with the main group prior to the bye after returning to the club.
Footscray will face Carlton on Friday night at Ikon Park. The Bulldogs' senior team is set to face GWS on Saturday night at GIANTS Stadium.
