Young Gold Coasty SUNS forward Ben Ainsworth has been named the Round Twenty Two NAB AFL Rising Star nominee.

Ainsworth has played a key role in the SUNS' line-up for 2017, and was a pivotal part of the team's Round 22 game, despite their loss to Essendon. 

The 19-year-old was the leading goal kicker for the game, booting three goals off 10 disposals and is the first NAB AFL Rising Star for the SUNS this season. 

Joining the SUNS as their first pick in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft, Ainsworth made his debut in the opening round of the 2017 Toyota AFL Premiership season against the Brisbane Lions.

Named in the 2015 under-18 All-Australian side as a bottom-age player, Ainsworth impressed in the 2015 Draft Combine where he placed second in the 20 meter sprint, fifth in the repeated sprint and was in the top 10 in the agility and running vertical jump. 

Ainsworth has enjoyed a strong debut season with the SUNS, averaging 11.7 disposals and kicking 14 goals in the 12 games he has played.

Following each round of the Home and Away season, a panel of judges select a NAB AFL Rising Star nominee. At the completion of the season, one of these nominees will be chosen as the 2017 NAB AFL Rising Star.