Ben Ainsworth jokes that he is too outdated to realize membership into one in every of Gold Coast’s most unique golf equipment.
But it is not in a dimly-lit constructing on the Surfers Paradise strip.
This membership will reunite on the newly-named Heritage Bank Stadium in Carrara on Saturday when key ahead Ben King returns from a long-term knee damage towards Sydney.
The added presence of King, who kicked 47 targets in his 2021 marketing campaign, ought to create extra crumbing alternatives for small ahead Ainsworth.
But the 25-year-old cheekily prompt the advantages cease there.
“He’s a great bloke and they’ve got a little clique down here with him, (Jack) Lukosius, (Matt) Rowell, (Charlie) Ballard and (Noah) Anderson,” Ainsworth advised AAP.
“They’re a tight-knit group and (them committing their futures to the club) helps the club go forward.”
Ballard was drafted in 2017, Lukosius and King in 2018 whereas Rowell and Anderson got here in 2019 they usually have all signed extensions to stay on the Gold Coast.
Ainsworth was the membership’s prime decide and No.4 total in 2016.
“I’m definitely not part of it, members only,” he laughed.
“They share a special bond … (I’m a) seasoned veteran.”
The Suns will play crushed grand finalists Sydney in a straight-up take a look at of legitimacy as they search a maiden finals look.
A ten-12 2022 marketing campaign was stuffed with pluck, they’ve crushed the Swans in 4 of six video games since Stuart Dew took cost in 2018 and may have one of many AFL’s most promising key forwards again on deck.
“It’s exciting purely for Kingy and his family for what he’s gone through to get back to where he is now,” Ainsworth advised AAP of King, who missed all of final season with a ruptured ACL.
Dew has chosen top to counter the Swans, including Joel Jeffrey forward of the livewire Malcolm Rosas Jnr along with key pair Mabior Chol and Levi Casboult.
Dew expects King to be at full velocity regardless of barely enjoying one half of 1 preseason recreation.
“He’ll be fine,” Dew stated.
“He’s grown in his preparation and style of play, we expect him to perform and he’s the No.1 driver of that.”
Brandon Ellis (calf) and Lachie Weller (knee) will each miss the season opener however are nearing health after quick and long-term accidents respectively.
Academy standout Bodhi Uwland is a shock choice to debut for the Gold Coast in defence.
The Swans would develop into simply the second crushed grand finalist in seven years to win their opening recreation if they’ll trump the Suns.
Tom Hickey and Robbie Fox will not play as they get well from calf complaints, whereas Essendon recruit Aaron Francis has been included as an emergency.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
