Josh Bruce emerged from the fringes last season to establish himself as one of the most damaging young key forwards in the competition.

After being recruited from Greater Western Sydney as a key defender, the 23-year-old was one of the surprise packets of 2015, transforming into a spearhead, capable of kicking bags of goals.

And whilst he does have a laidback demeanour, Bruce’s rise from anonymity to marquee forward is a testament to the time he dedicated to his football, according to St Kilda forward line coach Aaron Hamill.

“He’s certainly one who buys into the program a lot. He invests a lot in his career and I think last year he got what he gave and he certainly contributed a hell of a lot to putting his career on the right path,” Hamill told saints.com.au.

On the back of his breakout season, where he booted 50.24 to finish equal tenth in the Coleman Medal – ahead of established superstars Lance Franklin and Tom Hawkins – Bruce is aware of the increased attention he will receive this season as opposition defences dedicate more time and effort into quelling his influence.

“He knows this year 2016 is going to be challenging for him – a lot of opposition will do more analysis on him and challenge him in different areas,” Hamill said.

Across the pre-season - his third since being traded from the Giants at the end of 2013 in search of greater opportunity - Bruce has turned his attention to improving his strength and positioning in the contest, without detracting from his greatest asset – his ability to get the ball on the lead through his speed.

“But one of his (improvement focus) areas is body work and positioning, reading the flight of the ball, (having) a bit more strength,” Hamill said.

“But again using his strengths – his ability to get off his man, his speed and acceleration.

“It’s a fine line between putting on too much weight and strength, and not losing his real strength which enabled him to get off his man quite easily at times last year.” 

Alongside six-time Trevor Barker Award winner Nick Riewoldt and exciting young gun Paddy McCartin, the Saints appear well stocked on the key forwards shelf heading into the 2016 season.