• Every pick, every club on the NAB AFL Draft Tracker
• Draft verdict: How did your club fare?
• 10 things we learned from the draft

GOLD COAST has used its extraordinary haul of four top-10 draft selections to land a quartet of NAB AFL Academy stars capable of playing senior footy in 2017. 

The Suns pounced on Ben Ainsworth (No.4) with their first selection at the NAB AFL draft in Sydney, then added Jack Scrimshaw (No.7) and Will Brodie (No.9), before matching Sydney's bid for Academy player Jack Bowes (No.10). 

Ainsworth will add plenty of bite to the Suns' forward half next year and can play on the ball, with Brodie and Bowes certain to spend time in the midfield, and Scrimshaw giving the club an exciting option across half-back, and can also play through the middle of the ground.

The four young guns have spent plenty of time together as part of the AIS system, with aggressive forward Ainsworth, and tall onballer Brodie particularly close after starring for Vic Country at representative level.

As well as their early selections, Gold Coast managed to secure another Academy player when they matched Geelong's bid for forward Brad Scheer at pick 67.

Selection No.4 – Ben Ainsworth
Gold Coast says: "Ainsworth is a brilliant overhead mark for his size and will bring a real X-Factor to Metricon Stadium, providing a threat both in the air and at ground level and the ability to be a match-winning player. He finished second in the 20-metre sprint at this year's Draft Combine (2.90 seconds), fifth in the repeat sprints (25.01 seconds), and in the top 10 in the agility and right foot running vertical jump." 

Selection No.7 – Jack Scrimshaw
Gold Coast says: "The talented left-footer starred as a rebounding defender for both Vic Metro and TAC Cup side Sandringham in 2016, averaging 23.7 disposals per game for the Dragons. Sandringham looked to place the ball in Scrimshaw's hands at every opportunity with his agility, decision-making and clean hands making him a perfect quarterback for his side. At a height of 193cm, Scrimshaw has the potential to develop into a modern-day midfielder in the ilk of a Marcus Bontempelli."

Selection No.9 – Will Brodie
Gold Coast says: "The 188cm Murray Bushranger is a clearance machine with an insatiable thirst for getting his hands dirty and winning the contested footy. At this year’s NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, despite Vic Country not winning a game, Brodie averaged 21 disposals (10 contested) and 5.3 clearances per game, and earned Under 18 All Australian honours for his efforts."

Selection No.10 – Jack Bowes
Gold Coast says: "Nicknamed the 'Rolls-Royce' of this year's draft crop, the silky midfielder is known for his agility, composure and decision-making ability. The Cairns product was awarded the Harrison Medal as the best player in this year's division two Under 18 championships, averaging 25 disposals (14.3 contested) per game, booting seven goals in three games. He was awarded a midfield berth in the 2016 Under 18 All Australian team after backing up for the Allies in Div 1."

Selection No.67 – Brad Scheer
Gold Coast says: "Scheer is a solidly built inside midfielder with a thirst for winning the contested footy, but can also shift forward and impact the scoreboard. In the division two Under 18 championships earlier this year, he averaged 25 disposals, six tackles, and six clearances in three games for Queensland."