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BEN AINSWORTH is "stoked" to be a Gold Coast player despite saying last month the Brisbane Lions were his preferred new home.

Ainsworth was touted as an early selection for most of 2016, so one was surprised when the Suns pounced with pick No.4 at Friday night's NAB AFL Draft after the Lions took North Ballarat Rebels midfielder Hugh McCluggage at No.3.

Ainsworth said last month he would "love" to play at the Lions and had assured the Lions during a meeting at his Morwell home in August that he would not be a flight risk if they drafted him.

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But the star small forward from Gippsland Power told reporters on Friday night his comments about joining the Lions had been overblown.

"The media does blow things up a little bit I guess, but I'm happy where I am now and humbled and very grateful for the opportunity the Suns have given me," Ainsworth said. 

"(I'm) stoked. I couldn't think of a better opportunity and just can't wait to get to the club and meet everyone and gain the respect of both the staff and the players."

Ainsworth said he had wanted to leave Victoria and had been particularly attracted to the warmer climate of Queensland.

As for the Suns, he said was excited by the opportunity the emerging club could offer him if he put his head down and worked hard.

"I know you still have to work for a lot of things, nothing comes to you easy, but just the opportunity emerges at that level and you just have to take it with both hands," Ainsworth said.

The 18-year envisaged he would play primarily as a forward in his early days at Gold Coast, but hoped to move into the midfield in time.