Western Bulldogs forward Josh Bruce is aiming for a July return as he continues to recover from a season-ending left knee injury.
The 29-year-old tore his ACL against Essendon in Round 21 last year and admits his recovery has been slower than hoped due to a couple of setbacks.
But Bruce is setting his sights on a return to football via the VFL in the second half of the 2022 season.
“It’s been slow thus far, but it’s coming along now pretty well,” he told SEN’s The Run Home.
“I’ve had a couple of little setbacks over the last six months or so, it (the recovery) is a little bit slower than I would have liked, but it hasn’t pushed back my return date at all, which has been good.
“I’m still aiming for the back-half of the year, so after the bye at some point. Hopefully I can re-join the group and play some finals.
“I’m aiming for about 11 months, so it’ll be the start of July, so rounds 14 or 15.
“I want to play some VFL footy.”
Bruce kicked 48 goals in 20 games last season and was sitting equal-second in the Coleman Medal before seriously injuring his knee in his 150th game.