Dons ramping up chase for free agent Sun after career-high game in Pies win

Essendon are chasing Gold Coast restricted free agent Ben Ainsworth, reports AFL Media’s Cal Twomey.

Ainsworth is in ripping form for the Suns and the former No. 4 pick enjoyed one of the best games of his career last Saturday in the win over Collingwood, helping himself to a career-high 28 disposals to go with two goals and nine marks.

The 26-year-old is one of only four remaining restricted free agents left ahead of this off-season and Twomey said he has a four year deal on the table from the Suns plus a trigger for a fifth season.

Given the Dons want to bring the Gippsland product back to Victoria, Twomey expects the Dons to offer him a five-year deal to try and lure him away from the club he’s spent eight years at.

“Ben Ainsworth is one of the couple unrestricted free agents left over yet to make a decision, and he has a big one to make,” Twomey said on AFL.com.au’s Gettable.

“He played one of the best games of his career last week for the Suns.

“He’s in terrific form at the moment. He has four years on the table from Gold Coast plus a trigger for a fifth season.

“But also Essendon is chasing really hard, which we revealed about a month ago.

“I’d expect that if they’re going to drag him out of there that they’d have to be offering a five-year deal as well.”

While Twomey says that the Power also have an interest in the small forward, he thinks his call will come down to two options, Essendon or Gold Coast.

“Port Adelaide had interest, but I don’t think it’s going to be that way for him,” Twomey said.

“I think it’s either the Bombers or stay at the Suns.”

Ainsworth will hope to keep up his good form when the Suns face the Roos at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon.