Gold Coast forward call on future imminent: AFL trade news

There is a five-year offer from a rival club on the table.

WRITER | July 19, 2024 - 5:44pm

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Gold Coast restricted free agent Ben Ainsworth is set to turn his back on rival clubs and re-sign at the Suns.

Ainsworth has received plenty of interest throughout the year, including a five-year deal from Essendon that is on the table.

However, the Suns have put forward a four-year contract with a trigger for a fifth to keep the 26-year-old Victorian at the club he was drafted at in 2016 with Pick 4, according to AFL Media's Cal Twomey.

Ainsworth had been hitting a purple patch of form before an injury to his AC joint (shoulder) had ruled him out for the remainder of 2024.

Suns coach Damien Hardwick made it felt that he'd like to keep the half-forward in his side but respected the process heading into a life-changing decision.

“Player out of contract, we are really keen for him to stay, free agency and we understand that's his right," Hardwick said.

"He has been a wonderful player for us for a long period of time and hopefully, he continues to stay at our football club.

"It's in Ben's court, he knows we are really keen for him to stay, these are the decisions he earned the right from free agency.

"Sometimes these deals are life-changing for the amount of money and the terms we are talking he earned that right and we respect that."

Since debuting in Round 1, 2017, the Gippsland Power product has added 134 games to his name and 114 goals.

Ainsworth remains as one of four restricted free agents without a deal beyond 2024, with Cam Zurhaar (North Melbourne), Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong) and Tim English (Western Bulldogs) unsigned.