Home of the Central Blues Australian Football Club

BB: Welcome to the show Bruce. Thanks for taking some time out from your busy schedule and giving us an opportunity to allow our readers to get to know you a bit better.

It's been a pretty big year for the Blues on and off the field so far - with a few wins on the board the Blues for the first time in it's history is still in contention for the Finals footy after 7 rounds. Off-field the clubs has been even more successful in terms of recruitment and the flourishing of the famous Blues 5th quarter. In your opinion, what do you think has been the biggest development/improvement within the Blues organization?

BP: The biggest development would be the introduction of a rec/seconds side through the recruiting that we have done in the off season. I think that our year round recruiting and training has made it possible for guys that might not have thought this is the game for them to rethink and have a crack. This has resulted in bigger and better 5th Quarters and an ever strengthening squad. The biggest improvement has been the numbers to training and the number of people stepping up to make small but important contributions to make the club a better experience for all involved.

BB: Where do you think there is opportunity for further improvement in terms of making the Blues an even better organization?

BP: The Blues organization has done a lot of things really well and as a result of every member getting involved and doing a little bit to make the club better has meant that off the field we have become stronger quicker than when I was with Guelph. To make us an even better club we need to reach out our community and get a positive interaction going with groups, business and schools in the area. There are a lot things in the works that will hopefully see fruition but it will take the efforts of all the members of the club to see them be successful.

BB: You're the Blues Senior full-back. There is so much pressure on this position - as you know that the opposition players up the field are going to be gunning to get the ball down the throat of your man. Do you actually enjoy this position? And why?

BP: It's a Love/Hate relationship. When things are going right and we are getting the ball out of our 50 then I love playing the position. You get to be hard at the ball and lead the attack. However when the opposition players are streaming in from mid field and putting the ball though over you head it is the most helpless feeling. That's why I love this game because it is a true team sport, every player on the field is accountable for the teams win or loss no matter their part.

BB: There are a few Canadians in the Blues defense that have been pretty impressive to date. Michael Kitchen, Steve Mackey (aka Mack-Daddy) and Darren Bridgewater (to name a few) all have been enjoying stellar seasons deep in defence for the seniors. Mack-Daddy in particular has been playing a bit of fullback for the Reserves games too. His performances in the position of late have certainly been eye-catching with some deadly accurate kick-ins. Are you starting to watch over your shoulder or what? Any words of wisdom for the guys coming through the defensive squad?

BP: I'm impressed with how the canadian back men are beginning to come together. Everyone has impressed me with how much they improve every week. I've seen some big improvements in Mike, he has a huge spoil last week(punch the ball forward a good 20m) and Mack-daddy has been a machine playing in both the reserves and senior game. He will do the team well in my absence. Words of Wisdom - Keep up the hard work as it is paying of now that the forwards have figured out how to kick goals.

BB: It seems the Blues defense has been a bit cursed of late, with Ewan (Obi) Williams going out with a broken ankle, Andy Han injured knee, Richard (Richo) Jenner injured shoulder, Nick Discenza broken wrist, Darren Bridgewater injured hamstring and now Ian Lang with a concussion after being knocked out against the Rebels in round 7. Have you got any superstitions which you observe leading up to and on game day? (Some AFL players are known to wear the same pair of underwear, or eat the exact same meals, drive the exact same way to the field at the exact same time etc...)

BP: No superstitions oddly enough. I really just don't think about it. I haven't changed the way I play despite injuries. Go at the ball hard, tough and just believe that you will come out the other side unscathed. Works most times, the other times i downplay to my wife.

BB: What's the story with an old nickname you used to have? Blade?

BP: Can't really remember who gave it to me but it has to do with me working as a doorman at a Goth Niteclub. Someone on the team called me Daywalker and we all know the movie reference is to the the movie charatcer Blade played by Wesley Snipes and it sort of stuck. Especially when your wife engraves it on your Ipod along with my number.

BB: So Blade, you're off to Australia in August this year to represent Canada in the International Cup. How do you rate the Canuck's chances in winning the Cup? And who do you expect your toughest opponents to be? Does Northwind even do any research into their opponents at all?

BP: I've heard the putters are giving 12:1 odds for us to win the cup. We have played tough, close games against the power house teams of PNG and NZ, we know we can beat the US. All depends on the draw.

BB: You're actually slated to play on the wing for Team Canada (Northwind) aren't you? What are your thoughts on this? Would you prefer to play full-back? Any chances of you playing on the wing for the Blues in preparation for the Northwind team?

BP: That is Coach Cain's decision, he will use me where I can best server the Blues. If I can get on the wing in a few rec games then that would be great.

BB: Jared Postance has been on fire lately when he's actually playing. for the Blues Any chance that he will be elevated from the Northwind reserves list to the travelling side? And was there anything BB could do in getting our man onto the squad? (Afterall we at BB do have some consderable pull with the league, what with our high profile and all... well we don't really have a high profile at all outside of the Central Blues - but we like to think we do.)

BP: I think Jared will be elevated, he has been on fire lately. I think his speed and toughness would be an asset to the squad. His commitment to the program for only being in his first year is pretty amazing. If it were up to me he be in, but it's not so like the rest of the Blues we will and hope that he gets named sooner rather than later.

BB: At risk of jinxing you, it's actually been a case of third time lucky for you in terms of playing for Team Canada. Want to give us a run down of your road to representing Canada? (correct me if I am wrong - 1st year, injury? 2nd yr cut from squad? and now 3rd year lucky)

BP: In 2002 I partially separated my left shoulder in a game against Hamilton 6 weeks before we left killing any chance of playing in that tournament. In 2005 I was considered too old among other reasons for not being selected to travel as a player with the Northwind. I have been named to the squad but until I step onto the field in Australia only then will I have reached my initial goal. Dare to dream that Canada will be playing in the Grand Final of the 2008 International Cup.

BB: Coach Cain played for the Aussie All-Stars in the game against Northwind on Canada Day this year. The Aussies by the way won, as they should since it is Aussies Rules afterall. But Canada did pretty well all things considered and it was a great opportunity for the Canadians to see what they needed to work on leading up to August. Did you have any opportunities to hit the coach in the game? Any confrontations on the field with the coach in the game at all? We at BB would have thought it to be a great opportunity to get back at him for all the times he makes us do that beep-test!

BP: I don't think I got near him at all that day, I hit or tackled a few green guernseys but I don't think any of them were Jase. I wasn't really looking.

BB: Previously to this year you've been pretty heavily involved with the OAFL and AFL Canada's off field operations and only recently have you stepped back a bit and concentrated on developing the Blues more so than the league itself. For the newer guys on the squad and our fans out there who may not know, what was your involvement with the league, footy in Canada and other club(s)?

BP: I've done a lot of things around the the league, I been the president of 3 clubs:Demons, Gargoyles and the Blues; I was league President for a few years and President of AFL Canada for a few more. I have done what ever I can to help grow the sport no matter what city a new club may be in. I hope to get a women's team off the ground this summer. and seriously develop some juniors this fall.

BB: So you've been around for a while Blade - in fact apart from your off-field involvement, you've also played a whopping 150+ games in your career to date - congratulations on such an achievement! Any games stand out in your mind of those 150+? And why?

BP: The foremost is the 1994 OAFL Grand Final. The Missisauga Mustangs (now High Park Demons) won their first and only GF, it was my rookie season and left a big impression on me. Unfortunately I have not played in another GF since; came close in 2004 with the Gargoyles. The Gargoyles first win, which was against the Demons. The Blues first win, which was against the Gargoyles. I have both those game balls signed and on display at home. The first time I played for Canada in 1999 against the US in Chicago.

BB: We at BB think your day time name sounds like that of the alter ego of a superhero... (like Bruce Wayne meets Peter Parker) For our BB "One-Words-Worth" give us the superhero power you think the following guys on the team would be have if they were indeed a superhero:

BP:
Carl Hastrich - ability to leap tall buildings
Dan Zimmerman - adamantium bones and mutant healing powers
Mark Dobson - teleportation
Eric Floresca - invisibility
Steve Mackey - telekenesis

BB: We at BB are renowned for finding the dirt on our interview victims. What's this we hear of you being a frequent cage-dancer at Savage Garden? And why aren't the Blues ever taken there when you're on show? Any photos of the Blade in action that you want to share with the fellas?

BP: Yes it is true that I have danced in the cage at Savage Garden on a few occasions. Usually after a lot of drinking and persuasion by the fairer sex. There might be but those are for Jen's eyes only.

BB: Now Blade, our young fans have been keeping the BB mail room busy with questions they want answered by you. Robbie has been a long time fan of yours and even sent in a picture of him with his very own arm-band tattoo just like his favorite Blues player - although you can carely seem it as he has tats all over his body. He also mentioned his surname rhymes with yours... interesting fella is Robbie. Here's a couple of questions Robbie wants answered:

Robbie: You maintain a pretty serious work-out and training regime - can you give me a run-down of your average week's routine?

BP: Sunday - Yoga, Monday - Conditioning @ DCC, Tuesday - Blues Training, Wednesday - DCC or Team Canada Training, Thursday - Blues Training, Friday chill time, Saturday is Game Time. I also try to run in the mornings and bike to work once a week. Work makes it tough.

Robbie: I understand that you're pretty strict with your dieting etc in your lead up to representing Canada. But I'm sure I've seen you at my local McDonalds regularly. What's your favorite Macca's meal?

BP: I am pretty strict with my diet, however I do visit Macca's once every couple of weeks for my fix of a Big Mac and Large Fries. It's good to treat yourself every once and a while, makes sticking to the diet easier.

BB: Thanks for those questions Robbie. Now finally Blade, was there something about you which we haven't already disclosed to our readers that you think they may not know about you?

BP: My arm band tattoo, which fully circles the arm is a replica of my wedding band. That way I always have it on even when training or playing. My marriage is the only thing I am more committed to than football.

Thanks very much for your time Blade. Awesome talking to you. Keep up the great work around the club - we all appreciate it very much. You and the other officials have truly built an awesome club.

Thank you to our loyal readers, we hope Blues Brothers is still as entertaining as ever. Feel free to send in some suggestions and questions to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Until the next installment of BB - catch yall later