Wayne Carey is inducted into the AFL's Hall of Fame

WAYNE Carey made an emotional tribute to his family and former wife after he was finally inducted into the AFL's Hall of Fame.

Wayne Carey is inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame. Picture: Mark Smith

WAYNE Carey made an emotional tribute to his family, teammates and former wife after he was finally inducted into the AFL's Hall of Fame.

The controversial former North Melbourne captain and dual premiership star had been overlooked by the AFL's selection panel in the past two years after his string of off-field indiscretions overshadowed his football career.

But the champion's on-field exploits were celebrated last night with his elevation to football's most esteemed honour roll, receiving a warm reception from the packed room at Crown casino.

Carey thanked his coaches, teammates and his family, but also paid a special tribute to his ex-wife, Sally.

"I would also like to finish with my ex-wife, Sally. It certainly wouldn't have been possible to do what I did during my football career if it wasn't for her," Carey said.

"I thank her, we have a wonderful relationship now. We have a beautiful daughter, Ella, which drives me to this day and I'm thankful for her support. She would have been here tonight, but we didn't want to end up in Confidential. It's the only reason she's not here."

While Carey had to wait a couple of years to be elevated, he said he would have been happy to wait much longer for the honour.

"A few people have said that to me about this two-year wait. I met (dual Brownlow medallist) Peter Moore for the first time about three or four weeks ago at a function and he only got inducted two years ago," Carey said.

"Looking around this room, it's just a huge honour to be inducted. I would have been more than happy to wait five years.

"I'm thrilled to be standing here now. Congratulations to the other inductees tonight and it's a huge honour to be standing here right now."

Carey played 244 games and kicked 671 goals for the Kangaroos, who he captained to premierships in 1996 and 1999.

He then moved interstate in 2003 and played 28 games with the Adelaide Crows before retiring from the competition.

Carey's Hall of Fame nod followed a career of individual highlights including four best-and-fairests, two AFL MVP awards and the honour of captaining North Melbourne's Team of the Century.

But Carey said he wouldn't have had any of it without his North Melbourne teammates.

"One reason I am here is because we were a very good side, the Kangaroos in the '90s, that gets overlooked.

"We played in seven preliminary finals in a row, three of those grand finals, and it's for that reason I stand here with their support in that time."

Carey and six of the biggest names in football were last night honoured at Crown.

Tony Shaw, Ross Smith, Gavin Wanganeen, Brian Dixon and former West Australian star Stan Heal were included in the Hall of Fame, but the biggest honour was reserved for Fitzroy hero Kevin Murray, who was elevated to Legend status.