After being 1-8 when Josh Fraser took over as coach from Michael Voss, Carlton have risen to be in a showdown with last year's grand finalists Geelong.
Finishing the home-and-away season in 10th, the Blues wore down seventh-ranked Melbourne to win a gruelling wildcard battle at the MCG on Saturday night.
Carlton have suffered just two losses in their last 15 outings, making them arguably the in-form team of the AFL.
During that run, the Blues have managed to take down minor premiers Fremantle and reigning champions Brisbane.
"Absolutely," said Ainsworth when asked if the situation felt like a fairytale.
"We were 1-8 at the start of the year, and now we're winning our first wildcard final.
"It's pretty surreal, but we're not done yet."
Ainsworth, who was winning an elimination final with Gold Coast 12 months ago, knew Carlton wouldn't give in, even after conceding the first four goals of the match to Melbourne.
The former Suns player was an outstanding with three goals from his 21 possessions.
After quarter-time, the Blues' defence held firm to restrict the Demons to just three more goals for the remainder of the night.
"We've done a lot of work in that space, so no one was panicking," Ainsworth said.
"We just stuck to our process, and the game turned on its head, and it was through actions."
Despite the special victory, Fraser maintained his calm and composed messaging.
"They're just growing in different scenarios and finding different ways to win," he said.
"They embrace everything that's thrown at them.
"From the coach's box, we didn't feel flustered."
Carlton were able to knock off the Cats earlier in the season, Fraser's third game in charge in what was a thriller at the MCG.
"Maybe in parts," Fraser said when asked if they could take confidence from last time into this clash with the Cats.
"Maybe we're a bit of a different team now than what we were then.
"I feel confident each week we go in, knowing what we're up against.
"It's one thing knowing it, the other thing trying to stop it."
Carlton captain Patrick Cripps (knee) and defender Nick Haynes (ankle) were both sore against the Demons, but there are no concerns over the duo's fitness to face Geelong.
"You talk about resilience, that guy's courage is off the charts," Fraser said of Haynes.
"Played such an important role for us under a little bit of duress."
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