Brian Read

Brian had a profound impact at Ainslie throughout the 1970s both on the field as a player, captain and also had a stint as Ainslie First Grade head coach in 1977. Brian started his junior football at Ainslie in 1966 before transitioning into senior football in 1969 where he would go on to represent Ainslie 139 times in First Grade.

Predominantly playing as a half-back, Brian was instrumental to Ainslie’s success in the 1970 First Premiership season in the backfield and was awarded the season’s Best and Fairest and going back-to-back to win the award again in 1971. The 1970 First Grade premiership was a significant occasion for the club, breaking a nine year premiership drought that involved two heartbreaking Grand Final defeats. Brian played his last season for Ainslie in 1974 before transitioning into coaching first as an assistant in 1976 before being appointed Head Coach in 1977.

A prominent figure within Canberra AFL, playing over five representative seasons for the ACT and then continuing to serve also notably with Belconnen in several coveted administration roles to support football in Canberra. Brian was inducted into the AFL Canberra Hall of Fame in 2019 recognising his contributions to AFL in Canberra both on and off the field. Brian’s induction as a Life Member at Ainslie echoes these settlements as a Hall of Famer in recognising his role in Ainslie’s success in the 70s.