Sport
7 December, 2025
City crew trains in the ’Hood
CARLTON premiership player Ian Aitken is taking pre-season training in Melbourne for Inglewood’s city-based players.
Newly signed as senior assistant coach to Jackson Hood, Aitken won a flag with the Blues in 1987, his first season in the VFL, and was a key figure in the infamous ‘Battle of Britain’ exhibition match in London between Carlton and North Melbourne.
He was king hit from behind and knocked out by future premiership coach Alistair Clarkson in one of the many fights that broke out during the game at The Oval.
Aitken’s influence and experience is already being shown at Inglewood, with two important signings from West Preston-Lakeside, where he coached last season.
Aitken’s son Charlie and Mischa Fraillon have joined from the Roosters, who play in the strong Northern FNL.
Charlie Aitken is a key defender/midfielder who played 16 games for West Preston-Lakeside last season and was named in the best players eight times.
Before that he played with De La Salle Old Collegians in the VAFA.
Fraillon is a young hard-at-it small forward with a taste for the goals who played representative football for the Yarra Junior Football League under-16s in 2023.
The six Woodies players based in Melbourne will train under Aitken while the local players will do the bulk of their pre-season work at Weeroona College in Bendigo.
Hood, who was the Woodies’ assistant coach last season, said working with Aitken was “really exciting.
“He has a wealth of knowledge, and he is so passionate about the game.
“He has so much to bring to the club, and he’s on the same page in terms of how we want the club to play.”
With Inglewood celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2026, and a standalone match against Bears Lagoon Serpentine on the King’s Birthday long weekend, there is building anticipation around the club.
Last season was Inglewood’s best in more than 20 years, with the senior side reaching the preliminary final.
“I’m confident with the group we have, most players have recommitted, and it’s exciting to take the next steps for the club,” Hood said.
“It’s my first senior coaching role, and the main reason why I accepted the role was knowing these guys, how connected they are and how willing they are to take the next step.”
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