AFL boss takes immediate action against Wayne Carey
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The AFL has taken immediate action against Wayne Carey receiving the highest honour at the inaugural NSW Australian Football Hall of Fame night. Carey will be one of 100 identities inducted at a gala dinner on Friday night — but he will no longer be elevated to Legend status, told of the decision in a phone call with AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Drama as Wayne Carey honour denied. Stream analysis, local footy and the biggest moments free on 7plus As first reported by 7NEWS.com.au, Carey's elevation is taking place on the same weekend the AFL industry is taking a stand against gender-based violence in Australia. A two-time premiership captain with North Melbourne, Carey infamously split the club when he was caught cheating on his wife with the wife of then teammate Anthony Stevens. Carey would then split up with his wife, less than two months after the birth of his first child, after it came to light he was cheating on her with model Kate Nielson. He was accused of "glassing" Nielson in 2007 and later addressed the controversy during an appearance on SAS Australia in 2022. Neilson had stood by Carey in court and did not press charges, but she later said the relationship was toxic and that the attack in Miami left her "bleeding profusely from the mouth". The AFL, which announced its stand against gender-based violence on Wednesday, only learned the following day that Carey was to be elevated to Legend status by the NSW Hall of Fame. Domestic Abuse advocate Melanie Rowe said honouring Carey in that way would be "the wrong message to send". "I think that they (the AFL) need to stand their ground on this and be clear and send a strong message," she told 7NEWS. "Unfortunately, this (honouring Carey) isn't (the right message) at this stage. "We worship these men that can kick a football around, but that does not make them a good person." Dillon has since intervened, forcing the organisation to reverse its decision. "The AFL acknowledges 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 to 7NEWS. "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. "He also agreed the focus should be on the inaugural inductees and the nine legends of NSW Football that will be announced tonight." The Hall of Fame revelation left domestic abuse survivors and advocates disappointed given the league's public stance against violence. The NSW Hall of Fame will honour goalkicking legend Tony Lockett, the famous Daniher brothers (Terry, Neale, Anthony and Chris) and former Sydney Swans captains Brett Kirk, Jarrad McVeigh and Kieren Jack among many others. The event was originally slated for 2020 to coincide with the 140th year of football in NSW but the work was interrupted due to COVID and was only completed at the end of last year. In the Hall of Fame rules around eligibility, the charter says the committee may consider "a candidate's individual record, ability, integrity, sportsmanship and character". "The number of football games played, coached or umpired or the years of service provided shall only be a consideration and shall not be determinative in assessing a candidate's eligibility," it continued. "Candidates shall be adjudged on the basis of their overall contribution to Australian Football in NSW, as opposed to one specific aspect." - with Cameron Noakes Sign up to our daily newsletter to get all the biggest sports stories delivered into your inbox