“He's tearing it down”: Veteran backing young Suns recruit for stellar season starter

Pre-season is well underway for our Gold Coast Suns and the four fresh faces drafted last month have quickly earned their stripes, according to the veterans. Here’s what they’re saying:

Pre-season is well underway for the Gold Coast Suns and the four fresh faces drafted last month have been at work to prove their worth.

Palm Beach stars Will Graham, Ethan Read and Jed Walter, along with Broadbeach’s Jed Rogers were the homegrown talent that the Suns picked up in the 2023 draft.

Veteran Ben Ainsworth, who has played 117-games in Suns colours was quick to give praise of the young quartet.

“Will Graham is training well, running halfback and can also defend really well and Jed Walters is coming along nicely down forward which is a big focal point,” Ainsworth said.

“Jake Rogers off to the side and Ethan Read is doing really good as well.”

Amongst the talent group, however, one has stood out the most since kicking into pre-season gear.

“Jake trained with us last year and he’s a really good player, real silky clean.

“But you can’t go past big Jed at the moment, he’s tearing it down.”

Ainsworth, who is just two shy of 100 career goals, had nothing bad to say about the new-look Suns.

“Dimma (Damien Hardwick) has brought in a great program for us to be able to learn the best.

“He’s brought a lot of positivity and everyone is playing to their strengths.”

Fellow veteran Levi Casboult agreed pre-season has so far been a success.

Casboult pointed to Will Graham as his stand out pick.

“It’s going well, the boys are training hard and tracking pretty well at the moment,“ Casboult said

“I just think Will sees the game well, plays hard and has a crack.”

Graham on the other hand has his focus set on the day-in day-outs of pre-season.

“It’s pretty exciting but it’s the first I’ve heard of it so I’m looking forward to it either way,” the 18-year-old said.

“It’s been so good so far and I’m really starting to settle in.”

“The whole back line are just so welcoming and they’ve looked after us so far.”

The Suns had their final training session on Monday morning before the Christmas break and will look to ramp up pre-season once again early in January.

Originally published as “He's tearing it down”: Veteran backing young Suns recruit for stellar season starter