Joyce in full stride of leadership goal
JESSE Joyce says he wants to become a leader of the Suns backline and shape Gold Coast’s game in his third season in the AFL.
The 20-year-old is the Palm Beach-Currumbin product who has gone from rookie to a staple of the Suns best 22 over two seasons.
Now on the cusp of his third season, Joyce said he wanted to start becoming a leader among his defensive teammates that include cocaptain Steven May and veteran Jarrod Harbrow.
“I want to become a leader of the backline and help shape the game going forward,” Joyce said.
“For me it’s been about playing a bigger role every year and becoming more of a leader.”
Joyce – who last month resigned with the Suns until the end of 2020 – has built a reputation for his composure and kicking accuracy at Gold Coast.
Joyce said his focus was now on adding an extra gear of speed to his game, something that has been his only downfall throughout his young career.
“I was able to come back to the preseason and hit personal bests in basically everything,” Joyce said.
“Part of that was improving my speed. It’s an area I have always struggled in.
“It’s becoming such a fast game so working on my flexibility has been able to positively affect my speed.
“I think that will put me in good stead for 2018 while playing on different players and sizes. I’m able to wrestle with the big blokes and run with smalls but the speed has probably always been the problem for me.
“I have made big strides in that.”
Joyce said there was an opportunity for him to add some more rebounding running to the team following Adam Saad’s move to Essendon last year.
Joyce said he was shocked by the sudden departure of close friend and teammate Saad who was traded to the Bombers in order for him to be closer to his family.
“There is a bit of a brotherhood in the backline,” Joyce said.
“It was a bit of a shock when Saady left. I think everyone knows he values family so much and that it could happen any moment.
“It just struck me that it happened in the middle of a contract for him.
“From what I heard he is doing well at Essendon, so I’m stoked for him.”
IT’S BECOMING SUCH A FAST GAME SO WORKING ON MY FLEXIBILITY HAS BEEN ABLE TO POSITIVELY AFFECT MY SPEED
SUNS YOUNGSTER JESSE JOYCE