PART one.
Carlton’s handful of new recruits have officially been informed of their jumper numbers ahead of the 2026 season.
The Blues welcomed five players from other clubs in the Continental Tyres Trade Period - Will Hayward and Ollie Florent from Sydney, former Gold Coast forward Ben Ainsworth, ex-Eagle Campbell Chesser and big man Liam Reidy from Fremantle.
While IKON Park will welcome more new Blues vis the draft next week, the guernsey numbers for the traded-in recruits are now locked in.
No.12 - Ben Ainsworth
Proving his ‘Worth’ in a famous Carlton number, Ben Ainsworth will call the No.12 locker his own, having previously been the home to a pair of Club Hall of Famers. Barry Armstrong (twice) and Adrian Gleeson both tasted the ultimate success in the number and find themselves among the Club’s very best. In Ainsworth’s case, the exciting forward may be looking to replicate the exploits of someone more recently, when Matthew ‘Skinny’ Lappin changed clubs, wore the No.12 and provided Carlton fans with quite the highlight reel.
No.14 - Ollie Florent
What’s better than No.13? From Sandringham to Sydney, new Blue Ollie Florent has worn the No.13 right throughout his career - so it made sense that the free No.14 was the best fit in Navy Blue. Worn most famously by Rod Ashman (1973-‘86) and Michael Sexton (1990-2000), Florent will bring his class and versatility to IKON Park. Once again, the Blues’ No.14 is worn by an Ollie - Ollie Hollands wore it in his first season before switching to the No.4.
No.19 - Will Hayward
Something just feels right about a Carlton forward wearing the No.19 jumper. While Club Legend Ian Collins was a central figure in the number throughout the 1960s (including the 1968 premiership), the number has more recently been worn by 1995 premiership cult hero Brad Pearce as well as the incomparable Eddie Betts, across his two stints at IKON Park. Having worn No.9 throughout his nine years at Sydney, Will Hayward will be given licence to thrill in a number which has served Carlton so well.
No.31 - Campbell Chesser
Carlton’s newest Chess piece will wear a number once worn in Navy Blue by one of the game’s greatest ever figures. Despite only registering 50 games played in the No.31 jumper, it’s hard not to think of the great Ronald Dale Barassi AM, who went from player to dual premiership coach in 1968 and 1970. Later on, the number was worn with distinction by Tom Alvin, the Bairnsdale boy with the long black hair that ran all day across his 218 games.
No.39 - Liam Reidy
The Blues’ first new recruit of the 2025/26 off-season has been handed the No.39 jumper after crossing to IKON Park from Fremantle. The big man wears a number that has been the home to a pair of 100-gamers, with 1995 premiership player - and Adam Saad’s neighbour - Ang Christou holding the games record in the number with 150. Then there’s Dale Thomas, who achieved a century in Navy Blue after crossing from the Pies.
