Ben Ainsworth's Late-Season Surge Supported by Key Figures at Carlton

Ben Ainsworth, a half-forward for Carlton, is gaining recognition for his performance as he approaches the end of the season, having delivered strong showings in recent matches.

In Round 24, Ainsworth achieved 20 disposals and three goals against Fremantle, matching those statistics in a Wildcard Final against Melbourne. The 28-year-old joined Carlton from Gold Coast during the last trade period and credits his success to his collaboration with Gold Coast's mental performance coach, Alex Rance, who helps him maintain focus and process his experiences after games.

Ainsworth's performance this season includes an average of 17.7 disposals and 5.5 marks per game, along with 29 goals. He also highlighted the influence of Travis Boak, who has taken on a part-time leadership role with the team after retiring from his playing career. Boak's experience has been vital in guiding the team through a challenging start to the season, helping them recover from a 1-8 record to reach the finals.