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Gisborne: Planned outages Tue-WedThe "numerous factors" behind Ainsworth's Carlton move
SEN • October 13th, 2025 3:00 pm
Carlton have landed contracted Sun Ben Ainsworth, securing the half-forward via a three-team trade within the first week of trade period.
Ainsworth, a former fourth overall pick, spent nine years with Gold Coast, playing 158 games including 24 of 25 games in 2025.
Taken out of Gippsland in 2016, Ainsworth developed into one of the first names on the Suns’ team sheet, however following a quality stint with the side, the 27-year-old figured it was time for a change.
“It all happened pretty quickly last week. It was probably getting a little bit stale at the back end of my career up here, so it’s good to get back into Melbourne, that’s for sure,” Ainsworth told AFL Trade Radio.
“(The trade) was mostly through talks with my manager, Robbie D’Orazio, and my partner at home. I think it was just the best opportunity going forward for us to get back to Melbourne.
“I spent the last nine years up there, relishing the opportunity. I think over the last couple of years, I definitely loved my time under ‘Dimma’ (Damien Hardwick) but it was time for some new scenery.”
In discussing his decision to move on, Ainsworth expressed that the opportunity to play in a more free-flowing role at the Blues was a real driving force behind his motivation.
“There were numerous factors that came into play,” he said.
“The way that ‘Dimma’ likes to play is very team oriented, and I loved playing under him over the last two years, but the opportunity to come to the Blues and play a little bit of a more unstructured role is an exciting opportunity.
“I see myself as a player that gets up and down the ground and has an impact up the ground, gets back and kicks goals, sets them up. Carlton have expressed that that’s the way they want me to play, and I can’t wait for that.”
While the move was confirmed with relative quickness, Ainsworth did confirm that he would have been welcomed back at the Suns, however with background noise suggesting a move would be made and a strong pitch from the Blues, the decision was rather straightforward.
“I definitely could have stayed, and they made that clear to me that I’d be welcomed back, but when you hear in the background that it’s probably the best decision for yourself and your football going forward to explore your options, you start to think of your next opportunity and where that might come.
“I think this was the best course of action for myself and my family.
“There was a couple of teams interested, but the Blues made the initial pitch and were definitely interested from afar.
“Caught up with them a week or two ago, they expressed their interest, and I couldn’t be happier.”
Both Carlton and the Suns are far from complete with their transfer business, with deals surrounding Charlie Curnow and Christian Petracca headlining the remaining three days, along with a range of first team prospects expected to be dealt.
