AFL blocks move to induct Carey as NSW hall of fame legend

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The AFL has blocked a move to induct former North Melbourne champion Wayne Carey as a legend in the NSW Australian Football Hall of Fame.

League boss Andrew Dillon delivered the news personally to Carey on Friday morning in a phone call, saying it would be inappropriate for him to receive such an honour at a time when the AFL was taking a stance honouring victims of violence against women.

Dual North Melbourne premiership player and former captain Wayne Carey.Credit: Getty Images

The AFL learned on Thursday that Carey, who was born in Wagga Wagga, was to be inducted as a legend at a function to be held at the SCG on Friday night.

Dual Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes declined the NSW Australian Football Hall of Fame honour, continuing his estrangement from the AFL since his retirement in 2015 after widespread racial abuse from opposition fans, though he remains connected to his beloved Swans.

Carey, according to the AFL, was understanding of the decision and would not attend the function so as not to distract from the occasion. Carey, inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2010, will still take his place among the 100 inaugural inductees into the NSW hall of fame announced in March by AFL NSW/ACT head Tiffany Robertson.

Dillon said it would not be the "right decision" to bestow the new honour on Carey.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon.Credit: AAP

"The AFL acknowledge the decision by a committee of NSW football industry people to recognise Wayne Carey's contribution on the football field as part of 100 inaugural inductees in the NSW hall of fame," Dillon said in a statement.

"His contribution on the field is also why he was recognised in the AFL hall of fame in 2010.
Yesterday afternoon the AFL Executive were alerted to the decision by the NSW hall of fame committee for Carey to be elevated to Legend status.

"We didn't think it was the right decision. I called Wayne Carey earlier this morning to inform him of this and he agreed that being made a Legend would take away from the event and the important focus on the national response to the issue of gender-based violence against women.

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"He also agreed the focus should be on the inaugural inductees and the nine legends of NSW Football that will be announced tonight."

Carey has been contacted for comment.

Players, senior coaches and umpires this week are forming a linked circle at the centre of the ground before all games to pay a silent tribute to women who have lost their lives to gender-based violence.

Under criteria set out in the NSW Australian Football Hall of Fame Charter, the selection committee may consider a candidate's individual record, ability, integrity, sportsmanship and character.

Carey pleaded guilty to indecent assault after grabbing a woman's breast in 1995. The woman filed a civil suit against him, which was settled out of court.

Players from Adelaide and Port Adelaide link arms on Thursday night.Credit: AFL Photos

He was arrested in the US in 2007 and charged with assaulting a female police officer in 2007 after his then-girlfriend, Kate Neilson, accused him of smashing a wine glass against her face. He pleaded guilty to assaulting and resisting Miami police but escaped conviction.

Neilson did not press charges but in 2022 described their relationship as "toxic" in an interview with Daily Mail.

Carey, a former columnist with The Age, relinquished his mainstream media duties in 2022 after being evicted from Crown Perth when a small bag containing a powdered substance fell out of his pocket while gambling. Carey said the bag had contained a legal painkiller. He was not charged over the incident.

Carey, who kicked 727 goals in 272 games for North Melbourne and Adelaide, made his name at the Kangaroos, leading the club to premierships in 1996 and 1999. He was named in the All-Australian side seven times and is a four-time winner of North's best-and-fairest award.

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