NEW utility Tomas Bugg says he’s eager to help Melbourne rise up the ladder, adding that he simply wants to contribute to the club in any way, shape or form.  

The 22-year-old, who joined Greater Western Sydney as a 17-year old access selection player in 2011, played 65 games for the Giants. Melbourne picked up Bugg and gained No.7 (eventually Sam Weideman) from the Giants during the 2015 trade period.

Melbourne-born Bugg said that after four seasons with the Giants, he was ready to continue his career back in Victoria.

“I was out of contract and I was looking forward to coming home; there was a bit more opportunity,” he told Dee TV.

“We [GWS] actually played Melbourne in the last round of the year so I was on the receiving end of a good win by Melbourne, but a bad loss [for GWS].

“In terms of that, I saw where Melbourne were going – [it’s] a very talented list and I think you could see that in the last round when we played them.”

Bugg said that once Melbourne expressed interest in him, everything quickly fell into place.

“I was keeping in close contact with my manager and then I heard that Melbourne were really keen,” he said.

“I spoke with Josh Mahoney and Todd Viney and they were really keen to get me to the club and I was really keen to come to the club, so I’m just really pumped to play [for Melbourne].”

Bugg said a strong endorsement of Melbourne by former GWS teammates Dom Tyson and Sam Frost helped make his decision a no-brainer.

“I’ve stayed in close contact with both of them, especially Dommy. I asked them about the club as well and got their feelings about the club before I actually moved here,” he said.

“They were really positive about where the club is going and where it is at the moment, so it was an easy decision for me.”

Now settled at Melbourne, Bugg said he was pleased with how his first pre-season with the club was progressing.

“Touchwood, I’ve stayed injury-free for the moment,” he said.

“The boys are training really well and I think we’ve made some strong improvement over the last few weeks.

“[It] was a bit daunting at the start because you don’t know many guys. The boys though have been really welcoming so that’s been good.”

In terms of what he hopes to bring to the side, Bugg highlighted his experience and passion for the game.

“I was really fortunate to play a lot of games at a young age [with GWS] because we were a new team coming into the competition,” he said.

“I’m really competitive and passionate when I play. You can probably see the competitiveness because I get into a few fights – I got into a little fight with Angus Brayshaw in round 23.

“I just want to come in and help Melbourne develop. I’m really competitive, so I’m hoping that I can help a couple of younger boys along the way.”