IT IS conceivable that Josh Bruce and Paddy McCartin could share the same forward 50 for the next decade.

Their attributes complement each other perfectly. Bruce is highly athletic, mobile and in many respects plays like oversized half-forward rather than a key position player.

McCartin, while still in the formative stages of his career, is more of a traditional lead-up full-forward with strong hands and a powerful physique.

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The 18-year-old McCartin played his third AFL game on Sunday and booted his first goal. And while key position players generally take longer to develop – look no further than Geelong’s Tom Hawkins for evidence – Bruce believes McCartin has all the qualities required to succeed at the highest level.

“Paddy is going really well,” Bruce told Triple M.

“He came in earlier in the year and found it a bit tough in a big Friday night game in the wet against Collingwood. He’s done his craft in the VFL and done well.

“As you saw on the weekend, he’s got tons of ability. He can mark the ball. If he stays in the team for the rest of the year it will be awesome for us.”

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This time last year Bruce himself was in and out of the team similarly to McCartin’s 2015 campaign. Deployed as a defender for most of the season, he popped up for three goals against Gold Coast in round 19 before going in for shin surgery a fortnight later.

This year, the 23-year-old has hit his straps, booting 40 goals including bags of five against Essendon (twice), Adelaide and a six-goal haul versus the Suns in round two.