Ian Aitken
Carlton and St Kilda
AFL career
66 games10 goals
- Debut
- R2 1987 v COL4 Apr 1987
- Most recent
- R22 1993 v RCH28 Aug 1993
Stats
Bio
Emerging from Strathmore via the Carlton Under-19s, Ian Aitken enjoyed a meteoric rise in 1987 to produce one of the most memorable debut seasons in league history. The tall, athletic defender immediately secured a key post in the Blues' backline, capping off his first year as a Premiership player and earning media acknowledgement as the recruit of the year. However, his promising career trajectory was significantly impacted during the infamous "Battle of Britain" exhibition match in London later that year, where he sustained a broken jaw in a behind-the-play incident. Aitken remained a serviceable contributor at Princes Park for five more seasons but battled to recapture the dominance of his maiden campaign. He was traded to St Kilda in 1993 seeking a fresh start, but managed just five senior appearances before retiring, leaving a legacy as a talented backman whose best football was played in his brilliant first year.
Profile
- Born
- 16 May 1967 (age 59y 140d)
- Height
- 192 cm
- Weight
- 91 kg
Teams
- Carlton61 games, 10 goals1987–1992
Bio
1 revisionEmerging from Strathmore via the Carlton Under-19s, Ian Aitken enjoyed a meteoric rise in 1987 to produce one of the most memorable debut seasons in league history. The tall, athletic defender immediately secured a key post in the Blues' backline, capping off his first year as a Premiership player and earning media acknowledgement as the recruit of the year. However, his promising career trajectory was significantly impacted during the infamous "Battle of Britain" exhibition match in London later that year, where he sustained a broken jaw in a behind-the-play incident. Aitken remained a serviceable contributor at Princes Park for five more seasons but battled to recapture the dominance of his maiden campaign. He was traded to St Kilda in 1993 seeking a fresh start, but managed just five senior appearances before retiring, leaving a legacy as a talented backman whose best football was played in his brilliant first year.