Anger as Carey honour overshadows AFL gesture
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The AFL has stepped in to prohibit NSW Hall of Fame member Wayne Carey from being elevated to legend status this weekend. The move could not have come at a worse time for the league, who earlier in the week announced all 18 sides would take part in a minute silence before each game in round eight to shine a light on gender-based violence. Now, AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has officially stepped in to halt Carey's elevation. READ MORE: $4.5m 'bidding frenzy' to pour fuel on bitter NRL rivalry READ MORE: Sydney club shattered by mid-match death in England READ MORE: 'Fitness' probed as horror moment sums up sorry Souths Dillon made a call to Carey on Friday morning, informing the former North Melbourne champion that he has personally decided to prevent the elevation. The CEO expressed concerns about the move considering Carey's past, which includes domestic violence allegations. In a statement to the Herald Sun and The Age, Dillon explained why the league made the call after a crisis meeting was held on Friday morning. "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 the statement. "His contribution on the field is also why he was recognised in the AFL Hall of Fame in 2010. Dillon then declared the call to make him a legend was one they believed was incorrect in the wake of their move to support women facing violence across the country. "We didn't think it was the right decision," he said. "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." The off field behaviour of Carey that helped Dillon make the decision to block his induction included when he allegedly broke a wine glass over former partner Kate Nielson. The AFL released a statement to clubs earlier in the week, addressing why they deem the minute's silence as an important step forward in supporting women facing violence. "We understand the industry is far from perfect, but we must continue to educate and continue to take action," the statement read. The moment's silence was first observed during the showdown between Port Adelaide and the Crows on Thursday night.