Ashton Moir is about to live out his dream of becoming an AFL player.
But no matter how excited the South Australian is about joining Carlton, moving interstate is always a daunting prospect for teenage footballers.
So on Tuesday he was shocked to receive a helpful knock at the door from none other than Bryce Gibbs.
Analysis, local footy and the biggest moments, Seven and 7plus are the home of footy shows for every fan. Stream them all for free on 7plus >>
“Holy s***,” Moir said, instantly recognising the fellow Glenelg product and Blues club champion.
Gibbs, who returned home to finish his AFL career with Adelaide, brought with him Moir’s first Carlton jumper.
“I’ve got a special delivery for you, mate,” Gibbs said.
“Have you got your hands on one of these yet?”
Moir was floored: “Oh my god, thank you. No, I haven’t. Oh my god, that’s unreal.”
The jumper reveal didn’t announce his number, but with Gibbs’s former No.4 currently vacant Moir could yet pick it up for 2024.
Moir had a tough season for Glenelg this year, battling a hip injury, but remained on the radar with his goalkicking and fitness levels.
He was taken with the final pick in the first round on the opening night of the AFL draft.
“It’s pretty frustrating … I reckon it could be a good thing. Now that I’ve been able to get my body right, I’m really excited to hopefully get drafted and show everyone what I can really do,” Moir told the broadcast.
“Something my mum says to me all the time is that ‘everyone has their own story’. I guess for myself, it could be that potential top five (selection) to slide – and then hopefully back up to the top next year, because I know I’ll be able to train as hard as everyone else does.”
Moir started out at Glenelg but played for several teams, including the AFL Academy, in 2023.
Carlton list boss Nick Austin said Moir has “a number of weapons” in his arsenal.
“He attacks contests at speed, he can get the better of opponents in the air and on the ground, plus he’s a smart finisher around goals,” he said.
“We’ve made it a clear focus in recent seasons to add to our forward mix, and we think Ashton will further complement what we’ve got as he continues to refine his craft – he’s someone that’s been on draft radars for a long time.”
If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your .
To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide.