Gold Coast free agent Ben Ainsworth could have played his last game as a Sun after being ruled out of the rest of the season due to suffering a high-grade AC joint injury.
The half-forward has played every game this season, averaging 16 disposals and a goal. Last weekend against the Power, he suffered a knock to the shoulder but played out the rest of the game till he was assessed further post-match, with a diagnosis cutting the gun's season short.
"He was incredibly brave, had a couple of knocks last week, had some help at the half-time break to get him through the remainder of the game and then copped another significant whack halfway through the last quarter. It was very brave of Ben, we are very appreciative of him playing and putting his body on the line for our club," said three-time premiership coach Damien Hardwick.
"It's disappointing as he was starting to get into some good form."
Ainsworth is a free agent at the end of the season and has links with rival clubs, with Essendon and Port Adelaide showing reported interest.
The 26-year-old joined the Suns in 2016, playing 134 games for the Queensland side, with Hardwick mentioning his club is super eager to keep the half-forward.
โPlayer out of contract, we are really keen for him to stay, free agency and we understand that's his right," the ex-Tigers coach 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."
Interest in Ainsworth was expected to shift in the latter end of the season but his setback may accelerate discussions.
