Ben Ainsworth built a strong AFL career as a clever half-forward and an important Gold Coast Suns player, and he now sits in the mid-tier earner range for established AFL forwards.
In this article, you will know Ben Ainsworth’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Ben Ainsworth’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ben Ainsworth |
| Date of Birth | 10 February 1998 |
| Age | 27 years |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Height | 178–179 cm |
| Weight | 74 kg |
| Turned Pro (AFL debut) | 2017 with Gold Coast Suns |
| Current Club | Gold Coast Suns (AFL) |
| Estimated Net Worth | Around 1–2 million AUD |
| Salary (Estimate) | Around 669,000 AUD |
| Instagram Profile | @benainsworth_ |
Early Career
Ainsworth came through the strong Gippsland Power program in the TAC Cup, where he built a reputation as a tough, clever, small forward with serious goal sense.
He showed leadership and game IQ at under-age level, which helped him earn All-Australian honours at junior carnivals and made him one of the most highly rated prospects in his draft class.
Those early years shaped his style as a high-pressure forward who tackles hard, reads the ball in the air, and finishes cleanly in front of goal.
His performances for Gippsland Power and Vic Country pushed him into top-five calculations for the national draft and eventually led Gold Coast to invest in him as a key part of the club’s future.
Professional Career
Gold Coast drafted Ainsworth with pick 4 in the 2016 AFL draft and moved him straight into the senior side in 2017.
He made his debut that season and quickly showed why recruiters rated him so highly, kicking goals, applying forward pressure, and offering a strong work rate in the front half.
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Over the next seasons, Ainsworth developed from a pure small forward into more of a link player between midfield and attack, pushing higher up the ground to help with ball movement.
He delivered eye-catching games, including a standout performance against Collingwood where he collected high disposals and hit the scoreboard, which underlined his ability to influence big matches.
Ben Ainsworth’s Net worth Details
As of 2026, Ben Ainsworth’s estimated net worth sits roughly in the 1–2 million AUD range, driven mainly by his AFL salaries across multiple contracts and match-related income.
Contract
Ainsworth signed a two-year extension in 2022 that took him through to the end of the 2024 season, which lined him up as a free agent heading into 2024.
Gold Coast then locked him away again in July 2024 with a fresh four-year contract extension, keeping him at the Suns until the end of the 2028 season and ending interest from rival clubs that looked at him as a trade or free agency target.
Salary
Ainsworth’s 2025 season salary in the region of about 669,000 AUD, including base pay and typical AFL match payments and allowances.
That figure fits a player who sits around or slightly above the league average salary, with a long stint at one club and a key role as a starting forward who plays most weeks.
Career Earnings
| Season | Club | Estimated Earnings (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Gold Coast Suns | 150,000–200,000 (first years and match payments) |
| 2018 | Gold Coast Suns | 200,000–250,000 |
| 2019 | Gold Coast Suns | 250,000–300,000 |
| 2020 | Gold Coast Suns | 300,000–350,000 (adjusted for COVID-era cap) |
| 2021 | Gold Coast Suns | 350,000–400,000 |
| 2022 | Gold Coast Suns | 400,000–450,000 (new deal kicks in) |
| 2023 | Gold Coast Suns | 450,000–550,000 |
| 2024 | Gold Coast Suns | 550,000–650,000 (free agency season range) |
| 2025 | Gold Coast Suns | Around 669,000 under latest extension |
Career Stats
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| AFL Debut | 2017 for Gold Coast Suns |
| Position | Half-forward / small forward |
| Total AFL Games (through 2024 season) | Around 120–130 games range |
| Total AFL Goals (through 2024 season) | Over 120 career goals range |
| 2022 Season – Games | 22 games |
| 2023 Season – Games | 21 games |
| 2024 Season – Games | 17 games |
| 2025 Season – Games (to mid-year) | Around 14–21 games depending on final tally |
| 2025 Average Goals per Game | Roughly 1.0 goals per game shown in averages |
FAQs
1. What position does Ben Ainsworth play for Gold Coast?
Ainsworth mainly plays as a half-forward who pushes up the ground, links with midfielders, and then gets back to goal to hit the scoreboard with his pace and clean skills.
2. How many AFL games has Ainsworth played in his career?
Ainsworth has played in roughly the 120–130 game range, reflecting a long run as a regular selection for the Suns across eight campaigns.
3. What draft pick did Gold Coast use to select Ben Ainsworth?
Gold Coast selected Ainsworth with pick 4 in the 2016 AFL draft after he starred for Gippsland Power and Vic Country, which confirmed his status as one of that year’s elite junior prospects.
4. How long is Ainsworth under contract with the Suns?
Ainsworth signed a four-year extension in July 2024 that keeps him at Gold Coast until the end of the 2028 season, locking in his prime years with the same club.
5. Does Ben Ainsworth have public social media accounts?
Ainsworth uses Instagram under the handle @benainsworth_, where he shares football and lifestyle posts, although he still keeps deeper personal and family details relatively private.
