The Saints spearhead went through a mini-fitness test in the minutes leading up to the first bounce while Jonathon Marsh warmed up as a potential replacement and was declared fit to play.

Alan Richardson then decided he would back his key forward in but admitted the gamble failed with Bruce kicking just one behind and finishing with seven disposals.

‘‘That was just a call you make,’’ Richardson said.

‘‘He didn’t train all week. He is a real warrior, Brucey. He is a massive athlete, he also plays second ruck for us.

‘‘I made the call he was fit to perform and he wasn’t able to play four quarters the way we’d like him to play.

Loading

‘‘He will need to be much better than that to play next week. We think he will be but we will have to wait and see.’’

The Saints were also missing Rowan Marshall after he fell ill and was ruled out yesterday morning, with Billy Longer coming into the team to play ruck.

Richardson said he expected Marshall to return against the Giants.

Despite the injury list and the Giants, West Coast and Collingwood in the weeks ahead, the coach was confident his team would perform well.

Loading

‘‘It’s a great opportunity for us,’’ Richardson said.

‘‘I know our guys will embrace the challenge and the opportunity so I am looking forward to it.’’

He identified Luke Dunstan and Hunter Clark as potential inclusions while Marsh is also a chance although he conceded it was mainly their big-man stocks that were being depleted.

Richardson said the team would need to work hard on their ball use after butchering some opportunities moving the ball inside 50.