AFL sensationally steps in and blocks Wayne Carey from gaining legend status

AFL boss Andrew Dillon rang Wayne Carey on Friday to express concern about him being elevated to legend status amid a league-wide domestic violence campaign, but the former premiership captain will still be inducted into the NSW Hall of Fame.

Wayne Carey will be recognised in the inaugural NSW Australian Football Hall of Fame. Picture: Getty Images

The AFL has sensationally stepped in to block Wayne Carey of being elevated to legend status in the NSW Hall of Fame.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon personally rang Carey on Friday morning to express the league’s concern about the induction, amid a league-wide domestic violence campaign to start this weekend.

However Carey, who was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2010, will still be among a group of 100 other former footballers to be inducted into the inaugural NSW Hall of Fame at a gala dinner on Friday night.

The Wagga Wagga-born North Melbourne champion has a long history of domestic violence allegations and assault convictions.

One of Carey’s biggest scandals was his affair with a teammate’s wife, but the more insidious controversies surrounded his treatment of past partners. Picture: Getty Images

The Herald Sun on Friday reported Carey was to be elevated into the NSW Hall of Fame, prompting the league to move swiftly.

In a statement released to the Herald Sun, Dillon stated he had blocked the NSW Hall of Fame from elevating Carey to legend status after a crisis meeting was held after the league was informed of the decision on Thursday.

Dillon then rang Carey on Friday morning to tell him he would be blocked from being elevated to legend status.

“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 to the Herald Sun.

“His contribution on the field is also why he was recognised in the AFL Hall of Fame in 2010.

Wayne Carey spotted back with model girlfriend Jessica Paulke arriving in Sydney. Picture: MEDIA-MODE.COM

“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.

Carey flew to Sydney from his Melbourne base on Friday with on again off again girlfriend and mother of his third child, Jessica Paulke to attend the black tie event.

But on the strong advice of Dillon, the former North Melbourne and Adelaide Football Club spearhead confirmed he would not attend.

“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,” Dillon said.

Wayne Carey plays for North Melbourne in 2001.

This week the league launched a major campaign highlighting domestic violence against women, with AFL head Andrew Dillon saying they take a zero tolerance attitude.

Ahead of the start of each Round 8 match, players, senior coaches and umpires are forming a circle in the centre of the ground to make a silent tribute to women who have lost their lives to gender-based violence.

Head of AFL NSW/ACT Tiffany Robertson announced at the start of March that the region’s star players and football luminaries including Carey would be recognised in the inaugural NSW Australian Football Hall of Fame.

It’s understood the AFL are reconsidering the way to improve the Hall of Fame induction process and criteria so these sorts of issues don’t get raised again.

In the HOF 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.

“Candidates shall be judged on the basis of their overall contribution to Australian Football in NSW, as opposed to one specific aspect.”

In the NSW Australian Football Hall of Fame intake, 100 members and 10 legends will be inducted.

AFL legend Tony Lockett, Daniher brothers, Terry, Neale, Anthony and Chris and former Sydney captains Brett Kirk, Jarrad McVeigh and Kieren Jack will be among those acknowledged at the NSW Hall of Fame.

One of Carey’s biggest scandals was his affair with a teammate’s wife, but the more insidious controversies surrounded his treatment of past partners.

In 2007, Carey’s then-girlfriend Kate Nielson accused him of smashing a wine glass against her face, cutting her mouth and neck while they were in the United States.

Wayne Carey with Kate Neilson, who accused him of smashing a glass against her face.

Carey with North Melbourne chairman James Brayshaw in 2009 as he was inducted into the North Melbourne Hall of Fame.

US police arrested him, but not before Carey lashed out and kicked a female officer in the mouth. While Nielson chose not to press charges, Carey was convicted for assaulting the officer.

In 1997 he pleaded guilty to indecent assault after he grabbed a passing woman’s breast and allegedly told her “Why don’t you get a bigger pair of tits?”. The woman later filed a civil suit against him, which was settled out of court. There have been several other past and bleak allegations.

In 2010 Carey was inducted in the AFL Hall of Fame amid controversy.

Carey was eligible in both 2008 and 2009, but was overlooked both times, with his off-field misbehaviour outweighing his undisputed on-field greatness.