Joyce guided the Tasmania Devils' NAB League Girls team to the finals this year with the boys' team having a 2-1 record before Victoria's COVID-19 issues postponed that competition, with Head of AFL Tasmania Damian Gill saying Tasmanian football was fortunate to have had him for the short period of time it did, praising the way he was invested in the state program.

"We are sad to see Cam go but this is an amazing opportunity and we should all be proud of Cam and the Tasmania Devils program,'' Gill said.

"In a highly competitive world of senior coaching in AFL and AFLW ranks, this is an opportunity that cannot be underestimated - Cam has won one of just 14 AFLW senior coaching positions.

"This is recognition for the calibre of person and coach Cam is, but it is also a ringing endorsement for the Tasmania Devils program and the quality of the work being done here in our talent programs.

"There is no doubt in my mind and I know Cam would agree that the success of the NAB League Girls program within Tasmania in 2021 has played a major part in Cam being considered for this role.

"Gold Coast will be hoping that the turnaround [after not winning a game in 2020] will follow a similar trajectory to our Devils."

Gill said Joyce would remain in Tasmania for the next month and continue to manage and coach the Tasmanian Devils program and support the process for his replacement.

He said the Tasmania Devils program was "certainly well positioned for the next person in the role".

Joyce started with AFL Tasmania in 2019 with 2020 heavily impacted by COVID-19.

He previously spent 11 years at North Melbourne, which included time as the club's general manager of football, and also had roles at West Coast and Richmond and was a development coach at Oakleigh Chargers.

Gold Coast chief executive Mark Evans described Joyce as the standout candidate for the Suns' coaching role.