 As coach of Geelong, Bruton led the team to the 1982 NBL Grand Final where they were defeated 80–74 by the West Adelaide Bearcats at the Broadmeadow Basketball Stadium in Newcastle.In their 15 seasons of NBL competition from 1982 to 1996, this would prove to be Geelong's only NBL Grand Final appearance.Bruton rejoined the Bullets in 1985 and helped them to their first NBL championship with a 121–95 win over the Adelaide 36ers.