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

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.

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.

Gold Coast Suns draftee Will Graham is fitting in perfectly during his first pre-season. Picture: Somha Sleeth

“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.

‘Keep checking on mates’: Jasper hits close to home for Gold Coast Suns young gun

Tropical Cyclone Jasper may have struck nearly 2000km north, but it hits much closer to home for Gold Coast Suns young gun Alex Davies.

Davies spent the first 15 years of his life in Cairns before relocating to the Gold Coast in 2018 as part of the Suns Academy.

The now 21-year-old was drafted to the Suns in 2020 after a breakout VFL campaign.

Despite his family moving to the Coast, Davies said he was still worried about his childhood friends in the Tropical Far North.

“This time of year there are always thunderstorms, cyclones and the heat so I’m glad to be on the Gold Coast now,” Davies said.

“I think everyone is getting along well, but 600-plus millimetres of rain overnight is pretty insane.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 26: Alex Davies of the Suns is tackled by Bailey Scott of the Kangaroos during the 2023 AFL Round 24 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Gold Coast SUNS at Blundstone Arena on August 26, 2023 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“I’ll keep checking up on mates.”

Memories of a flood-prone neighbourhood have kept Davies eyes online as he watches the damage from Gold Coast’s safe shores.

“Initially I saw everyone getting their surfboards out and skidding along the flood plains but now it’s gone past that,” Davies said.

“No one can get home, everyone is stuck in town or can’t get in.

“I’ve seen people’s stories about not being able to get home or being stuck in traffic for hours.”

Davies is confident the Cairns community will get through this next stage.

“Everyone is pretty strong up there,” Davies said.

“It will all work out OK.”

Giants Leek Aleer spoils Suns' Alex Davies during an AFL pre-season practice match between the GWS Giants and Gold Coast Suns at Blacktown International Sportspark on March 4, 2023. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only - **NO ON SALES** - ©Phil Hillyard )

Speaking of the club’s history with connecting young talent to a pathway, Davies said there is space for the Suns to be a part of the rebuilding, on and off the field.

“There is definitely a role the Suns could play, that I could play and the Cairns boys could play to help out which I’m keen to do.” Davies said.

“There was a good four or five years with players coming through the academy in Cairns … it’s switched more to Darwin now with the games.”

A product of the Suns Academy program, Davies made his debut in the final round of the 2021 season.

“It’s sad to see it drop off a bit, obviously more focused on Darwin at the moment, but the league is still going well from what I hear,” he said.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 25: Alex Davies of the Suns carries the ball during an AFL practice match between the Gold Coast Suns and Port Adelaide Power at Metricon Stadium on February 25, 2022 on the Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“Jarrod Harbrow is always trying to push to get more funding and coaches there because it’s a very good region and has worked for the Suns.”

Davies touched on the growing strength of North Queensland sporting stars, having been raised a cross-code talent before committing to the Suns.

“There’s talented kids up there not just in AFL but with basketball at the Taipans.”

“Hopefully we can get back in there.”

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