‘It’s insulting’: Wayne Carey erased from history as storm erupts
A storm has erupted around Wayne Carey after the North Melbourne premiership player was quietly scrubbed from history.
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North Melbourne premiership player Wayne Carey has been wiped from history in a video released by the football on Friday.
The Kangaroos forward was the glaring omission in a promotional video shared by the club on its social media channels, celebrating its 100-year history in VFL/AFL competition.
North Melbourne great Corey McKernan is among those that have called the club out for its decision to overlook the 53-year-old, who played 244 games for the club.
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Carey also kicked 671 goals during his 13-seasons with the club and was the key piece in the Kangaroos’ premierships in 1996 and 1999.
McKernan on Twitter wanted answers from the club after seeing his teammate snubbed in such a sensational way.
The video showed the club’s proud history of guernsey changes it has undergone since entering the competition in 1925 — building up to a special centenary guernsey it will feature during a Round 20 clash with Geelong at Marvel Stadium.
The new threads were modelled by Roos player Zane Duursma.
The heritage jumper comes complete with traditional collars and a white “vee”.
The omission of Carey is, however, what has stood out the most.
McKernan posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “FYI North Melbourne, you do now Wayne Carey played for us, don’t you?”
He wrote in a different post: “Explain how it happens? If the excuse is “ oh it’s a young kid who did it and he didn’t know” please spare me”.
In another tweet, he wrote: “Can North Melbourne answer why you’d leave out Wayne Carey for a football related video for such an occasion?”
He also questioned why premiership coach Denis Pagan and club great Wayne Schimmelbusch were not featured.
Collingwood great Mick McGuane also questioned the club’s decision to forget Carey.
“Love the concept and innovation North Melbourne, but if it’s a “true” celebration you cannot overlook your greatest ever player in the vision to promote it”.
McKernan also went on a Twitter deep dive, reposting messages shared by angry fans.
One of the fans posted: “Farcical that the great number 18 wasn’t shown”.
Another wrote: “It’s insulting that’s he’s not the main part in this video. Only our greatest ever. Poor form”.
The video did feature the likes of Ben Cunnington, Drew Petrie, Daniel Wells, David King, Brent Harvey, Ron Barassi and John Longmire.
Carey’s only competition for the title of being the club’s greatest player, Malcolm Blight, was given a significant position.
“Shinboner of the Century” Glenn Archer also wasn’t forgotten.
Former captain Anthony Stevens was also pictured. Stevens’ wife Kelli Stevens famously had an affair with Carey, which ultimately ended with Carey being forced out of the club in a scandal that rocked the league.
Carey earlier this year was also engulfed in a public drama surrounding his position in the NSW Australian Hall of Fame.
Carey became part of the inaugural inductees to the NSW AFL Hall of Fame in May.
However, the two-time premiership winner was also reportedly set to become one of 10 inductees elevated to Legend status — until the AFL intervened.
Not only was Carey blocked from achieving Legend status, but after consultation with AFL CEO Andrew Dillon, the former Kangaroos skipper did not attend the gala night at all.
The NSW gala had fallen on the same weekend as the AFL honoured victims of gender-based violence at games across the league, sparking outrage in a number of circles.
There have previously been allegations of domestic violence against Carey.
He has also been convicted of assault.
Carey eventually clarified it was his decision to skip the event after speaking with Dillon.
Carey in 2022 was let go by Channel 7 after he had been escorted out of Crown Perth when a small bag containing a powdered substance fell out of his pocket.
Carey was cleared of any wrongdoing.
He has since bounced back with a popular podcast and has made plenty of headlines for his critical analysis of how the game has become soft following changes in rule interpretations and other aspects of the sport.
Originally published as ‘It’s insulting’: Wayne Carey erased from history as storm erupts
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