Gazza passes torch to Ben
GARY Ablett has told young Suns forward Ben Ainsworth to make the Gold Coast No.9 guernsey his own.
Ablett was Ainsworth’s first point of contact this week when Gold Coast offered him the dual Brownlow Medallist’s guernsey. Ablett was traded back to Geelong last month.
Ainsworth, 19, said a video call with Ablett put his mind at ease and he intended to use some of the superstar’s words of advice as he looked to build his own career.
“I am very respectful of Gary who has worn the No.9 before me,” Ainsworth said.
“He is a previous captain who has done so much in it.
“I gave him a message and made sure it was OK that I took on the honour.
“He FaceTimed me straight after and he couldn’t have been more wrapped for me. It put me at ease.
“He told me to take it in my stride and make it my own.
“At the end of the day it is just a number. It’s a privilege and honour to be able to don the No.9 guernsey and hopefully I can make it half as good as what Gary did.
“The club offered it to me and there was no hesitation.
“It was a bit nerve-racking accepting it but hopefully I can make Gary proud.”
Ainsworth was Gold Coast’s top pick of the 2016 draft at No.4 and went on to play 13 games in his first year at the club in the No.27 guernsey.
Ainsworth began preseason training with the first to four-year players on Monday and said he was impressed by new coach Stuart Dew, who he has already spoken with about pinch-hitting in the midfield next year.
“I’m trying to put on a few more kilograms to get into that midfield space but for now I’m just trying to concentrate on learning the new fundamentals that Dewy is putting in place,” Ainsworth said.
“I’ve had a few conversations with Dewy already and that’s the plan, to pinch hit in the midfield.
“It’s only early days at the moment.
“We will wait and see in a couple of months in terms of where I sit.”