Ben’s not getting ahead of himself
EMERGING Suns teenager Ben Ainsworth admits he has had a habit of putting the cart before the horse as he develops into an AFL top-liner.
Ainsworth, 19 and from the Gippsland under-18s in Victoria, was Gold Coast’s fourth selection at the 2016 national draft and is starting to show why he was so highly rated.
Against Collingwood on Saturday night the small forward stood out with his courage against the odds and in trying conditions.
He later revealed that he has been working hard with coach Rodney Eade and takes in everything his mentor says.
In particular, there is one area of his game that he continues to address.
“When Rocket talks to you, you have to listen and take in everything he says,” Ainsworth said.
“After all he has played in four premierships and I love him as a coach.
“One area that I am concentrating on is that I think I get a bit ahead of myself sometimes when I go for the ball – thinking about what I’m going to do next rather than actually taking the ball.
“I’ve been working hard on doing that, working on my craft and learning the game.”
Physically well equipped for the rigours of AFL, Ainsworth relished the wet and slippery conditions at Metricon Stadium but was devastated his side were so close but unable to get over the line in a 15-point loss.
The Suns played three quarters without injury victims Steven May and Jarrod Lyons and the drain on energy levels eventually took its toll.
“It was a tough night at the office,” Ainsworth said.
“Losing Maysie and JL in the first half did not help.
“But I thought the boys fought pretty well in the last half and to be within two or so goals is pretty phenomenal.
“The halftime message was just to stick together and execute the basics.
“We did that for most of the game and in the end it didn’t come down to too much.
“For me it is obviously good to put some runs on the board, but now I’m looking forward to a win.”