Collingullie-Glenfield Park have landed the prized signing of a ball-winning midfielder from Queensland.
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Jason Ainsworth has signed with the Riverina League premiers after also attracting interest from Coolamon.
Ainsworth has played three of the last four years at AFL Queensland club Maroochydore, where he was best-on-ground in the club's 2017 grand final win.
He also spent time at NEAFL level, with Aspley in 2016 and Eastlake in 2011, and represented AFL Canberra's under 23 team.
Ainsworth, 26, has moved from Queensland to Wollongong and will travel to play with the Demons.
Collingullie-GP coach Luke Gestier is thrilled to have Ainsworth on board.
"He'll be pretty handy I reckon," Gestier said.
"We've been at him for a fair bit and Coolamon were talking to him as well. He's exactly what we're looking for. It took it's time but from all reports he's pretty handy."
Ainsworth will be a welcome inclusion to Collingullie's midfield after the departures of Jayden and Matt Klemke over the off-season.
Gestier understands Ainsworth prides himself on his contested game.
"Everyone we've talked to has said that he's more than handy so he'll be good to have through the midfield," he said.
"He's an inside mid I believe and we've been told by a few that he's nicknamed 'The Bull' so that probably speaks for itself.
"There's always the option to play him forward but we're not looking for that really. We need him more on-ball."
Ainsworth joins John Buchanan, James Demby and Mick Anderson as off-season rivals at Crossroads Oval.
Gestier said Ainsworth's signing was needed.
"Absolutely. The door is always open," he said.
"If you had of asked me what I wanted, I would have said another mid. It's no secret we've lost a bit of depth through there so it's good."
The Demons have been averaging mid to late 20s at pre-season training to date and Gestier is happy with how his squad is shaping up for round one.
"A lot of the boys seem to be pretty fit, which is good," he said.
Collingullie-GP will play two pre-season trial games, against Gungahlin (March 23) and Marrar (March 30) in preparation for the round one grand final rematch against Griffith.
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