Ben Ainsworth is in his eighth year at Gold Coast, meaning he will be a free agent going into the 2024 off season. He plied his trade for most of those years as a small forward, a thankless role at the Suns through many years where supply was minimal due to deficiencies in the engine room. In 2024 he has started on a wing more often, and watched his fellow goalsneak Alex Sexton enjoy life a lot more starting behind the ball. It's a contract year and Ainsworth may not be at the Suns for their long-awaited debut finals match, but where will he be playing next year?
Ben Ainsworth is in his eighth year at Gold Coast, meaning he will be a free agent going into the 2024 off season. He plied his trade for most of those years as a small forward, a thankless role at the Suns through many years where supply was minimal due to deficiencies in the engine room. In 2024 he has started on a wing more often, and watched his fellow goalsneak Alex Sexton enjoy life a lot more starting behind the ball. It's a contract year and Ainsworth may not be at the Suns for their long-awaited debut finals match, but where will he be playing next year?
Ben Ainsworth is in a contract year in 2024, the most important one of a player's career in modern times as he hits the eight-year threshold for free agency. The club has a four-year deal on the table for him, but they also have a host of half forward flankers coming through to replace him over the next couple of years. Is it time for him to explore other options and chase success at a better club, like so many draftees at expansion clubs before him? A player in a contract year can sometimes be a fantasy goldmine as they try to add zeros to their bottom line. What is an Ains worth?
Ben Ainsworth is a half forward for a club that traditionally has struggled to deliver the ball well to its forward line, making it one of the toughest jobs in football to get a kick on a consistent basis. The Suns midfield brigade is looking much better this year, however, and perhaps we can see some upside from flankers like Ainsworth as the likes of Miller and Rowell dominate on the inside to feed their runners. He is probably only a consideration for fantasy in daily formats, as his ceiling is high enough compared to his price that he can make a team... but he can also break it.
Benny on the jets
A highly skilled and evasive half forward, Ben Ainsworth's third season was limited by midseason foot surgery after a knock against the Cats in round 10. Steadily improving his disposal and mark averages throughout his career, the Sun's highlight game came in the concluding fixture against the Giants, registering a career high 27 touches. Enjoying an unencumbered preseason, Ainsworth will seek greater midfield opportunities in 2020 as he aims to fulfil his substantive talent. Durability has been an ongoing concern since selection in the 2016 national draft, missing 38% of fixtures through injury. An accumulator throughout his junior days, add Ainsworth to the watchlist.
Ainsworth rattles chains
2018 for Ben Ainsworth was divided into four parts: a forward role to start where he rotted at a fantasy rate of 47 while the Suns stunk; a stint in midfield where he lifted his average to 82; a layoff recovering from plantar fasciitis; and another late stint in attack where again his statistical output cratered. His better scores featured tackles as well as possessions. The clear out of midfielders in the off season at the Suns means they must have some big plans for Ainsworth, and on a small sample size it appears he may be worth the faith they are about to show in him. His forward eligibility means he should vault up your draft boards if he impresses in preseason, as his ceiling is well beyond the forward baseline.
