Report: Bombers interested in restricted free agent that could fill forward need

Gold Coast’s Ben Ainsworth is one remaining restricted free agent that clubs will begin targeting for 2025 and beyond according to AFL Media’s Cal Twomey.

The former No. 4 draft pick has played 129 games for the Suns across his eight years in the system and Twomey thinks the Gippsland Power product should be chased by Essendon.

The Bombers brought in both Jade Gresham, Ben McKay and Todd Goldstein via free agency last off-season and Twomey thinks the Gold Coast forward would make a great addition at The Hangar.

“Right here, right now, Ben Ainsworth is the small forward that Essendon should be targeting,” Twomey said on AFL.com.au’s Gettable.

“This is a guy who is a restricted free agent, the Bombers need to add to their half-forward stocks.

“Jade Gresham has been a good addition and Matt Guelfi’s form is the best of his career and should get a new deal.

“But they need another half-forward who can get up and back and hit the scoreboard.”

Twomey revealed that the Suns have put a four-year offer to Ainsworth and expects a rush of clubs, including Essendon, to begin making further enquiries with his management now that fellow restricted free agent Will Hayward re-signed with Sydney.

“Ainsworth has a four-year offer in front of him at the Suns,” Twomey said.

“As I said, he’s a restricted free agent after being a top-four pick in the 2016 Draft.

“He hasn’t been in a rush to sign, but I think there’ll be a rush of clubs with interest in him with Will Hayward off the market.

“The Bombers are among the clubs that have had interest in him, so I think that’s one they should pursue pretty strongly.”

The remaining restricted free agents without contracts for 2025 are Ainsworth, Brisbane’s Jarrod Berry, Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield, Hawthorn’s Blake Hardwick, North Melbourne’s Cam Zurhaar and Western Bulldogs ruckman Tim English.