Wayne Carey’s AFL exile set to end as North Melbourne legend to return for centenary match

North Melbourne legend Wayne Carey is set to be welcomed back to the club after a stint in AFL exile.

Wayne Carey’s stint in AFL exile is over as the North Melbourne legend is locked in to appear at the Kangaroos’ centenary match later this season.

The 53-year-old is set to be joined by former teammates Anthony Stevens and Glenn Archer for the Roos’ Round 17 clash against the Western Bulldogs.

It will mark the first time the trio have reunited since Carey’s messy exit from the club almost 25 years ago.

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The revelation comes six months after the club unveiled a video celebration of the centenary that left out Carey.

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 wear in Round 17.

North great Corey McKernan called the club out for its decision to overlook Carey, who played 244 games for the club.

“Can North Melbourne answer why you’d leave out Wayne Carey for a football-related video for such an occasion?” McKernan wrote on X after the video went live.

“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”.

Wayne Carey’s stint in AFL exile appears over as the North Melbourne legend will appear at the Kangaroos’ centenary match later this season. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Collingwood legend Mick McGuane also questioned the club’s decision to omit 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”.

But Carey’s time in the AFL wilderness is now over with Channel 7’s Caroline Wilson revealing he will return for the special occasion.

“There was speculation last year when North unveiled their centenary jumper. And if you remember, there were North champions from through the eras and there was no Wayne Carey and Corey McKernan was very upset about this,” Wilson said on The Agenda Setters on Tuesday night.

“In 2022, a year later, they had a 25-year premiership reunion for the ‘96 flag, and there was an altercation at a pub between Anthony Stevens and Wayne Carey. We know the history there.

“They had to be separated. I don’t think it was physical, but it was not nice.

“And when there was a motorcade the next day at Marvel Stadium, Anthony Stevens wasn’t there and Wayne Carey was. So the club has worked really hard to get all these guys within the fold. And clearly, you can’t celebrate your 100th anniversary without Wayne Carey being there.”

Kangaroos' Wayne Carey (R) leaps into the arms of Corey McKernan 25 Sept 1999. Image: Michael Klein

Wayne Carey is one of North Melbourne’s greatest ever players.

Hawthorn premiership winner Luke Hodge said for such an important night in the club’s history they simply couldn’t continue to snub Carey.

“Couldn’t agree more. This is just as much about the supporters who grew up watching the captain of their football team.

“He captained two premierships and for him not to be at the 100-year celebration. I think a lot of supporters would walk away upset about that because he was such a big part of them throughout the 90s.

“He was the face of the AFL. Some have touted him as the best player that they’ve ever seen play the game.

“All clubs have disagreements, but the club’s bigger than anyone, and that’s me, the celebration is about the players and it’s about the supporters.”

Players from the 1975, ‘77, ‘96 and ‘99 premiership sides will all be invited to attend as will members of the AFLW premiership side of last year.

Wayne Carey still yet to receive Legend status

Last year Carey was 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 last year.

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 several circles.

There have previously been allegations of domestic violence against Carey.

He has also been convicted of assault.

Carey eventually clarified he decided to skip the event after speaking with Dillon.

In 2022 Carey 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 Wayne Carey’s AFL exile set to end as North Melbourne legend to return for centenary match