Bruce is determined to give teammate and retiring Saints great Nick Riewoldt a fitting finals send off before he rides into the sunset at the end of the season.

Riewoldt is one of many AFL stars set to hang up the boots this year and has played a huge role in the development of Canberra product Bruce.

Three-time premiership player Steve Johnson's retirement follows the departures of fellow greats Riewoldt, Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell, Jobe Watson, Matt Priddis, Matthew Boyd and Scott Thompson.

Cult heroes Ivan Maric, Dennis Armfield and Jesse White are also calling it a day at season's end.

Bruce laughs "it's going to be a tough gig" landing a job in the media with all the players retiring but he's excited to be part of the next wave of stars ready to fill the void.

"You see some of the names that are just household names that you never thought you'd see retire, all retiring at the same time," Bruce said.

"It's going to be an interesting game next year. It'll certainly be different. Some bigger household names are coming up through the ranks these days and I'm looking forward to it.

"That's just the ebbs and flows of football. These guys have had terrific careers - multiple premiership players, Brownlow medallists, All-Australians, best and fairests.

"It's pretty exciting to be in the younger category and part of the future of the game."

Bruce was elevated to St Kilda's leadership group this year and admits it's important he overcomes his "ups and downs" with form to fill the void left by Riewoldt.

The 25-year-old will have a huge role to play as a leader and as a forward with the club's longest serving captain on the way out.

Bruce arrived at the club as a defender in 2014 via Greater Western Sydney and it was Riewoldt's influence that saw him excel in his shift to the forwards.

"He's had a massive impact on me," Bruce said.

"I came to Saints as a defender and had played on him briefly. I got the call up to move forward about six months later and just latched onto him and just said 'I'm willing to do whatever it takes to learn off you'.

"In terms of a footballer, as a person and as a leader, I've learnt a lot off Nick. His work rate is first and foremost something I've admired and tried to emulate.

"The way he holds himself and the way he speaks really impress me and they're things I've picked up on.

"As Nick fades away next year, it's important for the next level of guys like myself, Tim Membrey, Mav Weller and these kind of guys to step up and take control of the group and especially the forward line."

The Saints sit 11th on the ladder locked in a four-way battle for eighth spot, essentially making every one of their final three games an elimination final.

It's a do-or-die situation for the Saints as they face Melbourne - another club in the hunt for September, North Melbourne and Richmond on the run home.

While Riewoldt won't play against Melbourne, Bruce says the Saints' third all-time leading goal kicker is providing the inspiration to spark a finals run.

"We all know he's a big game player and he's a champion player at the club," Bruce said.

"I'm sure we'd see him go to another level for a couple of games and stand out. That'd be a real privilege, to play alongside him in a final."

AFL ROUND 21

Sunday: Melbourne Demons v St Kilda at MCG, 1:10pm