Lions debut ‘Joyce bro’

Talented teenager inspired to follow sibling’s path to Suns

COREY Joyce has ambitions to follow brother Jesse into the AFL and the talented teenager already has one up on his older sibling.

Joyce, 17, made his senior QAFL debut for Palm Beach Currumbin in the club’s 13.7 (85) to 9.13 (67) win against Broadbeach at Salk Oval on Saturday in another learning experience for the Gold Coast Suns academy player.

Jesse made his Lions debut at the age of 16 but lost to Mt Gravatt.

The Suns defender, now 20, was on hand to present Corey with his guernsey before Saturday’s game and isthe inspiration behind his younger brother’s push to follow in his footsteps.

“It was really surreal,”

Joyce (pictured) said of his debut.

“I never really thought I’d be playing seniors at this club this year after coming from Coolangatta last year.

“It was incredible. I idolise Jesse in a sense. He is driving me to be better. He is my brother and I don’t want to be in his shadow. I like to think I have a bit more pace than him but we have some similarities.”

Among those similarities is an elite kick, according to Palm Beach Currumbin coach Chad Owens who has now mentored both brothers.

“This kid can play,” Owens said. “His skills are as good as his brother’s and they are both elite kicks.

“He is a backman but we played him at forward. He has to learn more roles if he wants to go to the next level.

“He was good early (against Broadbeach) and then his light body exposed him. He is a smart kid and kept getting into good spots but at this stage his lack of strength meant he got bumped off the ball too easy.”