Gold Coast ruckman Ned Moyle has turned his back on high levels of rival interest by recommitting to the Suns with a fresh four-year contract.
Moyle's name has been raised in trade talks in recent weeks as Collingwood, Adelaide and Melbourne look to add to their ruck stocks beyond this year.
The 2021 Mid-Season Draft selection was already contacted for the 2025 season, but with rivals coming for Moyle's services the Suns have acted to lock away their second-string tall to a new long-term deal.
The re-signing will mean Moyle, who is seen as the successor to co-captain Jarrod Witts in the ruck, is secured at the Suns until the end of the 2028 season.
The Kew Rovers product expressed his delight to re-sign with the Suns and credited Witts' involvement in his development.
“I honestly love playing at the Gold Coast SUNS and wanted to remain loyal and show what I can do in the AFL in the coming years,” Moyle said in a club statement.
“My aim is to be a consistent AFL ruckman and being able to work with Jarrod and learn all the intricacies of ruck-craft off him every day has been an incredible development opportunity that I wouldn't be able to get anywhere else.
“Jarrod has been huge on helping me continue to grow as a player and I am excited to continue to work hard for an opportunity to become a regular AFL player for the Gold Coast Suns in the years to come.”
Moyle has played four games this year in the absence of Witts, flexing his ruck craft and ability in the middle of the ground to bring his career tally to six matches.
The 22-year-old has averaged 31.25 hitouts and 14.00 disposals this year, backing up a dominant year in the VFL where he helped lead the Suns to a premiership.
“Ned has shown that he has what it takes to compete at AFL level,” Suns player talent boss Craig Cameron said.
“He has shown patience and maturity to develop his ruck craft and take the opportunity to learn from one of the best ruckman in the league in Jarrod Witts.
“Ned knows the impact he can have on our football club in the long term, and has shown that he wants to be a contributor for this club as we strive for future success.”
Moyle is one third of the Suns' promising ruck compartment, with Witts mentoring first-year tall and Suns Academy graduate Ethan Read also.