New Carlton forward Ben Ainsworth has no regrets about leaving Gold Coast immediately after the Suns' maiden AFL finals appearance.
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Drafted with pick four in 2016, the 27-year-old played in just 59 wins in his first 158 games in the AFL.
Fifteen of those victories came this year as Gold Coast reached the finals for the first time in their 15-year history.
It culminated in an unforgettable elimination final upset of Fremantle, leading them to face Brisbane in a QClash in the semi-finals.
But just weeks after the high of being centre stage in finals football for the first time, Ainsworth, who grew up in the regional Victorian town of Morwell, had a decision to make.
With the Suns trading in Christian Petracca and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, opportunities in Gold Coast's forward line could have become limited for Ainsworth in 2026.
"It was definitely challenging," Ainsworth told AAP.
"But sitting down with all the coaches at the end of the year in my exit interview, it was probably clear that I needed to make a decision on whether I wanted to stay or look somewhere else.
"That happened to be Carlton, and I couldn't be happier with the choice.
"They (Gold Coast) were definitely on the upwards trajectory.
"Spending my first nine years there in the AFL system, we had a lot of downs, and then probably in my last four or five years, I reckon that it started to tilt in the direction of on the up.
"I wish them all the best going forward and I loved my time on the Gold Coast.''
Ainsworth will be on light duties until after the Christmas break after getting his foot stood on in a training accident last Monday.
But he will slot into a new-look Carlton forward line, without dual Coleman Medal winner Charlie Curnow, but with the addition of Will Hayward from Sydney.
Ainsworth's role with the Blues will be similar to that at Gold Coast: a high half-forward who delivers the ball well inside-50.
"Coming in with Wilbur (Hayward), and then big H (Harry McKay) leading the charge down there," he said.
"Hudson O'Keeffe has been very impressive since I've come in.
"Ashton Moir, Jesse Motlop, Frankie Evans, it's definitely an exciting forward line if everyone's up and about."
In an exciting prospect for Carlton fans, when Ainsworth was asked who had impressed him most since arriving at the club, his answer wasn't dual Brownlow Medallist Patrick Cripps or All-Australian defender Jacob Weitering.
"Jagga Smith is unbelievable," Ainsworth said of the former No.3 pick, who sat out his first season in the AFL because of a knee injury.
"I've only seen him in small doses over the first couple of weeks, but he looks very, very good.
"He'll be a star going forward."
Australian Associated Press
