Just a day after the AFL trumpeted its “zero tolerance for domestic violence” stance, a player who has been accused of appalling behavior towards women will be honored with a shocking image for the league.
Wayne Carey will be one of the first former players inducted into the newly formed New South Wales Hall of Fame on Friday, despite his shocking off-field record.
It comes hot on the heels of the AFL opposing domestic and family violence and one in six Australian women having experienced physical or sexual violence from a current or former partner.
Port Adelaide and Crows players, along with match officials, linked arms just before Thursday night’s derby to observe a minute’s silence in honor of all the women who have died from violence gender.
All eight round matches will feature the same ceremony, but AFL fans have questioned how genuine it is.
Carey to be inducted into New South Wales Hall of Fame despite checkered off-field history
Adelaide and Port Adelaide players, along with match officials, observe a minute’s silence for victims of gender-based violence in Australia before Thursday night’s match.
Tarryn Thomas could be allowed to return to the AFL in 2025 despite repeated allegations about his treatment of women and pleading guilty to threatening to distribute intimate videos of an ex-partner.
First, they questioned the timing of the stance when the AFL is ready to allow Tarryn Thomas’ return, despite the former North Melbourne star pleading guilty to threatening to distribute intimate videos of a former partner and being charged with threatening to violence towards women.
Now the integrity of the stance has been further eroded when Carey will be honored at a gala ceremony at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday afternoon.
Also honored will be AFL legend Tony Lockett, brothers Daniher, Terry, Neale, Anthony and Chris and former Sydney captains Brett Kirk, Jarrad McVeigh and Kieren Jack.
Carey was previously a commentator for Channel Seven, radio with Triple M and a columnist for The Age, before admitting in early 2023 that his days in the mainstream media were over.
This came after he was thrown out of Perth’s Crown casino, where a small bag containing a powdery substance fell out of his pocket. Carey received a two-year ban from Crown premises despite denying it was an illegal substance.
Sydney Swans and St Kilda champion Tony Lockett will be one of the first 100 players inducted into the New South Wales Hall of Fame alongside Carey.
Carey was accused of sexual assault in 1996 and the matter was settled out of court. That same year she won the premiership with North Melbourne (pictured).
That was the latest in a long series of indiscretions stretching back to 1996, when Carey admitted committing an indecent assault on a woman, which was settled out of court after he allegedly grabbed her breast on a Melbourne street.
Despite this admission, Carey would captain North Melbourne to their victory over Sydney in the AFL Grand Final that same year and play 271 games in his career.
In 2002, Carey had an infamous affair with the wife of his then best friend and North Melbourne vice-captain, Anthony Stevens.
In 2007, the former Adelaide and North Melbourne star was arrested in the United States for allegedly smashing a wine glass in his ex-fiancee Kate Neilson’s face.
Neilson declined to press charges, but later said he was left “bleeding profusely from the mouth.”
Carey also pleaded guilty to two counts of assault on a law enforcement officer when he fought with police after the incident with Neilson.
Then in 2008, police were forced to use capsicum spray to subdue Carey after he assaulted officers in Port Melbourne.
Despite those indiscretions, Carey was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2010.
The sport then welcomed him back in 2014 with open arms to begin a media career that ultimately fizzled out in 2023.
Carey leaves the Melbourne Magistrates Court with his then partner Kate Neilson in 2009.
For all his indiscretions, Carey would play 271 AFL games and win two premierships.
Like the AFL Hall of Fame, the New South Wales equivalent can rule out players on the grounds of “integrity, sportsmanship and character”.
AFL boss Andrew Dillon stated this week that: “When it comes to violence against women, the only acceptable number is zero.”
But he has also trumpeted the New South Wales Hall of Fame and Carey’s inclusion in it.
“Australian football in New South Wales has a deeper history than many realize,” he said.
‘Congratulations to the members of the Hall of Fame, each has played an important role in improving football in New South Wales.
“I look forward to learning more about these greats and hearing their stories in the months and years to come, as football culture continues to permeate all of New South Wales.”