Ainsworth: Why I chose the Blues

“IT ALL happened pretty quickly.”

Speaking for the first time after his trade, Ben Ainsworth detailed the process of swapping the red of Gold Coast for the Navy Blue of Carlton as the Blues’ third acquisition so far this off-season.

While the trade appeared to move pretty quickly, and by relative stealth in comparison to other deals, Ainsworth said there had been discussions with the Blues dating back a few weeks, with key Club personnel getting involved in his decision that Carlton was the team for him.

With 158 games under his belt across nine seasons at Gold Coast, Ainsworth - a dynamic forward who hits the scoreboard and regularly produces goal assists - said the chance to get back to Victoria and play his football for the Blues represented “a new opportunity”.

“There were a couple of teams interested, but the Blues made the initial pitch and were definitely interested from afar. I caught up with them maybe a week or two age when they expressed their interest - I couldn’t be happier,” Ainsworth told Trade Radio.

“We caught up behind the scenes, they pitched where they see me fitting into the Blues and the potential outcome… I see myself as a player that gets up the ground and has an impact, gets back and kicks goals or sets them up. Carlton has expressed that’s the way they want me to play.”

As well as speaking on his excitement to link up with old Vic Country teammates Harry McKay and Jacob Weitering, Ainsworth also spoke on the coach and captain’s impact throughout the process.

“He’s a ripping fella, ‘Vossy’. He just wants me playing to my strength and to bring what I bring, he’s been fantastic.

“I’ve been in talks with [Patrick Cripps] over the past couple of weeks about potentially making the move down. He’s a star, a two-time Brownlow Medallist and I definitely can’t wait to be playing alongside him rather than against him, that’s for sure.”

And as someone who plays with plenty of energy in his own right, the thrill of playing in front of a Carlton crowd each and every week has Ainsworth buzzing.

The largest Victorian crowd Ainsworth has played in front of was actually against the Blues in 2024 when 39,597 ventured to Marvel Stadium, while the 57,507 at this year’s elimination final between the Dockers and Suns at Optus Stadium was the biggest of his career to date.

How does 80,000 in Round 1 sound?

“It’s going to be unbelievable.

“We started to experience it at the Suns with the first finals series, so to be able to do that every week with the Blues is a fantastic opportunity. I can’t wait.”

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