Ben Ainsworth has joined the Blues, after the Club completed a three-way trade with Port Adelaide and the Gold Coast Suns on Day 5 of the Continental Tyres Trade Period.
Ben Ainsworth has joined the Blues, after the Club completed a three-way trade with Port Adelaide and the Gold Coast Suns on Day 5 of the Continental Tyres Trade Period.
The Blues acquire an experienced small forward in Ainsworth, as well as pick 67 this year, in exchange for its future 2026 Round 2 selection and Corey Durdin – who expressed to the Club a wish to return home to South Australia.
As part of the wider exchange, Port Adelaide receive Durdin and the Blues’ 2026 second round pick, while the Power send pick 67 to the Blues and pick 29 to the Suns.
Highly regarded for his consistency, Ainsworth comes to IKON Park having played 158 games across nine years, never playing less than 12 games in a season and being in the top four of the Sun’s goalkicking in each of the last four seasons.
Strong overhead, the crafty forward possesses fantastic ground ball ability and impressive goal nous, kicking over a goal a game in last four years (85 goals from 84 games) while ranking third at the Suns for goal assists this season.
Known to be explosive on the field, Ainsworth played 24 of 25 games for the Suns in 2025, including both finals, and is just as damaging in front of goal as he is around the ground, finishing No.3 in the AFL for goal assists in 2022.
He will also reunite with Harry McKay at IKON Park, with two having played underage football together for the Gippsland Power a decade ago.
Durdin will return home after playing 64 games in the last 5 seasons, since being selected at pick No.37 in the 2020 AFL Draft.
Carlton Head of List Management Nick Austin said the Club is pleased to add senior experience to the front half by welcoming Ainsworth, while understanding Durdin’s desire to return home to family.
“Ben fits the profile of player we have been going after this trade period, in both age and experience, with Ben to complement our emerging small forward group,” Austin said.
“His impact in the forward half speaks for itself. He’s dynamic and exciting, smart around goals and with a natural forward craft who has shown a consistent ability to play his role week in and week out over a long period of time.
“With a ground-level ability that’s a standout, his knack for finding space inside 50 and playing team-first football makes him a great addition to our forward group.
“Beyond that, Ben brings experience and leadership. He’s been in the elite environment for several years and we’ve been impressed with his maturity. We believe he’s got his best footy ahead of him, and we’re excited to see the impact he can have in Navy Blue.
“Corey has been a well-liked member of the playing group since arriving at IKON Park, but we respect his desire to return home to South Australia to be closer to family. We appreciate all his dedication in the Navy Blue over the last few years and wish him all the best for the next chapter in his career.”