Gold Coast SUNS rookie Jesse Joyce was pinching himself when he was named for his AFL debut in round 11.

Six weeks later he finds himself still in the senior team and on current form, looks set to finish the season as an important part of the SUNS’ back six.

Every week at the top level provides a steep learning curve for the SUNS Academy product but an experience he’s thoroughly enjoying.

“I’m loving it,” Joyce told SUNS TV.

“Just having the ability to do a bigger role every week and learn from all the boys has been awesome and I look forward to hopefully getting a couple more games under my belt before the end of the year.”

With each game, Joyce is quickly growing in confidence and is searching for consistency across the latter stages of 2016.

“Probably just the confidence I’ve instilled in myself from playing in the games,” he said.

“I’ve sort of had ups and downs so far I’ve had a couple of low games and a couple of good games so I’m just working on getting that consistency.

“But just the knowledge of the game and getting to the speed, I think I’m starting to get there now and I’m starting to play a bigger role, which is good.”

Coach Rodney Eade was extremely complimentary of the 18-year-old in his post-match press conference in Cairns.

“I think young Jesse Joyce down back, I think we’ve found a player there,” Eade told reporters following the SUNS’ 48-point loss to the Western Bulldogs.

“I think he’s really grabbing his opportunity.”