Marc Murphy, Wayne Carey linked in sledging drama

WAYNE Carey has rubbished rumours linking him to the wife of AFL superstar Marc Murphy, as the personal sledging scandal grows.

Marc Murphy of the Blues.

SHOCKING new details have emerged surrounding the verbal abuse handed down by St Kilda players to Carlton captain Marc Murphy on Saturday.

Murphy was verbally targeted by St Kilda players and although it is still not known what was actually said, it was considered a highly personal attack.

It was speculated that Murphy was subjected to taunts regarding a supposed relationship between AFL legend Wayne Carey and Marc’s wife, Jessie.

Carey addressed this rumour on Monday evening, saying he was aware of it being discussed on social media, but stated it was simply not true.

Marc and Jessie.

“It clearly had no truth whatsoever, so I didn’t really worry about it too much. But then it started to grow legs a little bit more and a little bit more,” Carey told 7Mate’s Talking Footy.

“I’ve probably been in contact with Murph for the last year and a half. We’ve been on the phone constantly as the rumour and innuendo grew and grew and grew.

“I just want to say that I’ve never had a conversation with Marc Murphy’s wife. I don’t even know her.”

Carey and Murphy had discussed going public together to both address the issue, but felt it would only feed those on social media.

AFL legend Wayne Carey.

The AFL legend added a further twist on the saga, saying that he’d been in contact with players from both Carlton and St Kilda following the weekend, and he was not part of the sledge delivered to Murphy.

“Just so everyone knows, I wasn’t part of any of that sledging. My name wasn’t brought up by any of the St Kilda players to Marc Murphy — that’s been confirmed by Marc and everyone,” Carey said.

The Carlton captain took to social media on Monday evening to comment on the situation, hitting out at the debate the incident has sparked in football circles.

Marc and Jessie.

“I would like to respond to highly inappropriate social media commentary that has escalated in the past few days,” he said.

“I want to be clear that these comments are untrue, hurtful to my wife and family and show a lack of respect to women.

“We would like to move on and will not be making any further comment.”

pic.twitter.com/BJu0e1VvLb

— Marc Murphy (@marcmurphy3) May 15, 2017

The sledging of Murphy sparked a melee between the two sides, and has cast St Kilda in a poor light in the aftermath.

Murphy refused to shake hands with the majority of the Saints player post-match.

Geelong coach Chris Scott says the AFL must move with the times and accept that on-field sledging and verbal attacks on players are not acceptable.

Cats head coach Chris Scott.

Scott said people telling Murphy to simply toughen up or subscribe to the mantra of “what’s done on the field stays on the field” are wrong.

“When it comes to on-field banter, the same way as on-field violence, we need to move with community expectations,” Scott told AFL 360.

“They will probably be different in 10 years’ time to what they are today. I think it was a lot easier when we played, because it was a version of ‘anything goes and don’t take it personally’. You know that what’s said and done on the field will stay on the field.

“But the community doesn’t accept that anymore, so anyone that is railing against that, the flat earther’s — they need to get with the program.”

AFL legend Paul Roos was stinging in his criticism of St Kilda, and said the incident was “a blight” on the club’s brand and everyone associated with it.

Saints coach Alan Richardson conceded his club did not handle the incident well and joined club captain Jarryn Geary in phoning Murphy to apologise for the hurtful comments on Monday.

“We don’t hide from the fact we didn’t quite get that right,” Richardson told AFL 360.

“We need to be better, we want our footy to do our talking. We spoke to the group today.

“I reckon we’re kidding ourselves if we think we’re going to get everything right all the time, but what you do need to get right is the action that you take and what do you accept as a footy club.”

Saints player Jake Carlisle didn’t exactly help the situation by liking a tweet labelling Murphy “a little whinger”.

How not to pour more petrol on the fire ... pic.twitter.com/6Zae7oA3s2

— Mark Robinson (@Robbo_heraldsun) May 15, 2017

The AFL has announced no formal complaint was lodged by either side regarding on-field abuse.

But Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes demanded action in a column for The Advertiser.

“Although both St Kilda and Carlton appear reluctant to address the issue, it warrants an AFL investigation and should result in mediation, education or at the very minimum an apology from the St Kilda players,” Cornes wrote in The Advertiser.

“It’s time we establish a code of conduct defining what comments we accept on the playing field.

“AFL players should consider whether they would be happy to have their name attached to a sledge if it does get out in the public domain. If the answer is no, then don’t say it.”

Marc and Jessie at the 2016 Brownlow Medal.

Carlton’s next game is against Fremantle on Sunday and Dockers coach Ross Lyon plans to remind his players not to overstep the line in their interaction with Murphy.

“It’s not winning at any cost, even at AFL level. We all know right from wrong and I look back at my career and you regret some things you might have said,” Lyon told Fox Footy’s On The Couch.

“I think because it’s so important, I will address it, not specifically but a sharp reminder of the standards that we need to uphold.

“As AFL coaches and teams, it’s not winning at any cost because if we did we’ll still be king-hitting people in grand finals to win.”

Originally published as Marc Murphy, Wayne Carey linked in sledging drama