It’s been a whirlwind 24 hours for newest Gold Coast SUNS recruit Ned Moyle.

Touted as the best ruckman available in the 2021 NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft, Moyle’s aspirations to join an AFL list came true when his name was called out on Wednesday night, heading to the SUNS at pick 5.

Moyle has been one of the biggest improvers in 2021 with his ruck craft, but told AFL Media after being drafted that he was just enjoying being back on the field playing football.

“Last year I didn’t get the chance to play any competitive footy so coming into this year I just tried to make sure I could get out onto the park, have some fun and just get back out playing the game we all enjoy,” he said.

“I probably didn’t really have my sights set on anything, I was just trying to get out there, have some fun and test myself at the best level I could.

“I’m lucky that it’s ended up this way. I’m still pinching myself, I really can’t believe it.”

Moyle is a latecomer to the talent pathway, having gone through the Melbourne private school system at Xavier College where his football began to improve.

This season he’s been playing in the NAB League with the Oakleigh Chargers and has played for Collingwood in the VFL as a top-up player.

Now with a move to the Gold Coast on the near horizon, Moyle says he’s excited to continue to develop his craft in an elite environment.

“I’ve played a bit of VFL footy and so I’ve got a pretty good taste of what that’s like so I’m really lucky to have the opportunity to continue to play at that level,” Moyle said.

“I’m just going to focus on what I can control and keep trying to test myself out against the quality opposition that you come up against in that league so that’s probably my goal for the rest of the year.”