Rising Suns re-sign
THE ink on Ben Ainsworth’s locker at the Suns has only just dried but the draftee has already become part of a ground-breaking deal at the Gold Coast.
Ainsworth has recommitted to the Suns without playing a single AFL game just 112 days after he was taken at No.4 of the 2016 draft.
And in a red-letter day for the Suns, all four of last year’s top-10 draft picks – Ainsworth, Will Brodie, Jack Scrimshaw and Jack Bowes – have signed two-year contract extensions that will keep them at the club until the end of 2020.
It is an unprecedented move for both the Suns and AFL in a mass signing that was first discussed on draft night between the club and the group’s manager Paul Connors.
The group have essentially arrived on four-year deals after first getting the mandatory two seasons offered to draftees.
No other player on Gold Coast’s list is locked in beyond 2019 at this stage and Ainsworth isn’t afraid to wonder what could be achieved in that time.
“Hopefully we can win a premiership,” Ainsworth said.
“It’s an exciting time for our club and we have the right people around it so we need to make the most of it.”
Ainsworth said it was a huge show of faith from the Suns.
“This club is heading in the right direction and we feel we can contribute to that,” Ainsworth said.
“It’s a lot of trust by them and I’m sure we won’t let them down.
“It gives us a great deal of confidence and shows that all our hard work is paying off.
“It has only just begun but hopefully in the next couple of years we can progress as a club and go towards bigger and better things.”
Gold Coast already have what is considered one of the best spines in the AFL with Tom Lynch and Peter Wright in the forward line, the likes of Gary Ablett and David Swallow in the midfield and Steven May in the backline.
But these draftees could become the cream on top, with Ainsworth shaping as a promising forward, Brodie and Bowes highly touted midfielders and Scrimshaw a rebounding defender.
“We have been pretty close mates for the past four years and it’s obviously an exciting time,” Ainsworth said.
“There are not many better people to do it with than the three other blokes who are with me.”
Ainsworth’s parents Steven and Vicki entrusted their son to the Gold Coast on draft night and after a matter of months are convinced it is the right place for their son to forge his career.
“The club has really treated Ben, and us, really well and it’s all been positive,” Steve Ainsworth said.
“I’m impressed by how thoughtful and well run it is up here. Just the professionalism, being so easy to talk to and their willingness to help.”