Moran, an English immigrant who moved to Australia with his family when he was 15 years old, played his first game for the Roos on Saturday against the Hawks and was somewhat a revelation in what evolved as an ordinary game of football.
Moran managed 21 disposals, took 10 marks and assisted ruckman David Hale with 10 hitouts, and his performance was so promising it prompted coach Dean Laidley after the game to jokingly lobby for his debuting charge to earn the round's nomination.
The solid ruckman said of his round 21 performance it was a good way to start his playing career but remained realistic that one good game doesn't make a player.
"Obviously it was a dream start but as we all know in AFL it's not about just one game, it's a long career so I've still got plenty of work to go yet," Moran said on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old has the size and shape – 200cm tall and 100kg heavy – to play as a ruckman or a key position player and was quick to adapt to the Australian football code after his arrival from England.
Moran said that after playing soccer and rugby in his homeland, he came to Australia with no idea of what the code was. He revealed his first training session was remarkably in July 2004 – a little more than two years before he stamped his name as one of the rising youngsters in the game.
"I had no intention of playing AFL when I first came over here, I lived on the Gold Coast for three years and then suddenly one day I decided to play football," he said.
"Basically it just snowballed from there I guess."
He was drafted with pick 58 in the 2004 NAB AFL Draft from Southport and has spent this season representing Tasmania in the VFL.
The solid teenager wears the No. 18 guernsey made famous by Kangaroos legend Wayne Carey and the Roos hold high hopes for their pacy young gun as a developing ruckman.
Moran said he appreciated the opportunities handed to him by the Kangaroos and that his sudden rise to fame had surpassed all of his expectations.
"I pinch myself even from two years ago, from six weeks ago … I never thought six weeks ago I'd be here right now," he said.
"Even two weeks ago I would never have thought I would get a game. I've got the club to thank for giving me a chance to actually give it a go. It's all been a rollercoaster ride and I'm just grateful for what I've been given."
