Local boys Josh Bruce and Jack Steele to square off in AFL elimination final

And thanks to Port Adelaide's win over Collingwood in the final round of the regular season, Bruce will now line up against fellow Canberran and ex-St Kilda teammate Jack Steele in Saturday's elimination final.

The forward admitted it was a relief things panned out the way they did, as Bruce could remain in Queensland with wife Pip for the birth of their second child August William.

"I had the conversation with my wife before we came up here that if it did come down to finals footy or being there, I would pick finals footy second time round," Bruce said.

"Lucky it didn't come to that and I was able to get the best of both worlds.

"We would have had to go to Perth a week early and quarantine before you play. That would have been really tough not being there at all.

"[I am] grateful that it all worked out smoothly, they are all happy and healthy and going well."

While it has been an exciting week in the Bruce family, the forward further stated he is equally as eager for his debut game of finals footy after nine seasons in the league..

"I am very excited. Obviously, it has worked out really well to play St Kilda," Bruce said.

"I have been in the game for nine seasons or so now, very excited to play my first finals. I am normally on holidays this time of year and watching very enviously at all the teams that are in.

"So really looking forward to testing my mettle against September or October as it is this year."

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Although up against his former teammates, Bruce said there were no nerves heading into the game and was keen for revenge after losing in round two.

"We had the game earlier in the year and that kind of got any of the nerves or anxiety away from actually playing them."