Ex-wife of North Melbourne great Anthony Stevens speaks out on controversial past after her son River joins the Kangaroos

The ex-wife of former North Melbourne footballer Anthony Stevens has spoken out about her controversial past after her son was drafted by the Kangaroos last week.

River Stevens, 18, joined his father’s old team after the Roos selected him with the No. 67 pick in the draft.

His father, Anthony, played for North Melbourne between 1989 and 2004, winning two premierships and scoring 127 goals in 292 games for the club.

Stevens enjoyed a brilliant career in football. He was twice crowned North Melbourne’s best and fairest and also earned an All-Australian jacket.

The football great would later become the club’s captain, taking over from Wayne Carey after leaving the club for the Crows.

His departure came in the wake of an infamous scandal that rocked the club after Carey allegedly had an affair with Stevens’ wife Kelli.

Kelli took to Instagram to speak out: ‘The past is where it belongs…behind us’

After her son was called up to North Melbourne last week, Kelli published a post on her social media, expressing pride in her son after he joined the Roos, while discussing things that have happened in the past.

“I need to share these thoughts and words as I have had on my mind for some time now. I think this is the right time,” she wrote on Instagram, posting a photo of herself and River smiling, while her son wore a blue and white North Melbourne scarf.

‘The past is where it belongs… behind us.

“As parents, our choices, challenges, and lessons have shaped us, but they are ours to own and grow from.

“They don’t define our children or their journeys. They are on their own path in life.

“My son, River, is entering an incredible chapter of his life with the North Melbourne Kangaroos.”

River is a hard-working small forward with plenty of speed and a good eye for goal.

The creative forward previously played for the Geelong Falcons in the 2024 Coates Talent League, averaging 14.4 disposals, 4.6 points and one goal per game.

Carey’s affair with Stevens’ now ex-wife stunned the football world when they were caught in a toilet at a house party, leading to the two-time premiership captain leaving the club in disgrace. In the photo: Anthony Stevens and his now ex-wife Kelli

“This is his journey, his dreams, his challenges, his triumphs,” Kelli continued.

“Let us support and celebrate the future he is building for himself, free from the shadows of the past.

‘Life is about learning, growing and supporting each other to find joy and happiness.

“The future is full of possibilities, and we all deserve to move forward with hope and positivity.

She ended the message with several “love heart” emojis, adding, “Rivers proud Mumma.”

The post comes after Carey made a series of crude admissions last year about the affair that took place in 2002, claiming on social media that he had slept with Steven’s ex-wife Kelli three times.

He then spoke out about the issue on his podcast, The Truth Hurts, saying, “Let’s face it, we all know what happened.

He added, “Get over it. Twenty years ago.

Wayne Carey made a series of crude admissions in 2023 about the affair with his teammate’s wife

‘I’ve learned to live with it, I haven’t forgiven myself for it, but I’ve learned to live with it. So all you wankers out there, learn to live with it.”

Carey also opened up about the affair after joining SAS Australia in 2022.

‘It has haunted me for more than twenty years. I was in self-destruct mode. You know, I think my life started to unravel,” he said.

Stevens and Kelli remained married for six years after the scandal before divorcing in 2008.