- Former Kangaroos flag winner lashed out Tuesday night
- Was furious about the AFL court case results
- Carey is far from the only angry football legend
North Melbourne star Wayne Carey is so furious about two controversial AFL court decisions that he is promoting State of Origin as a better match to watch than Aussie Rules.
The 53-year-old was responding to the decision to uphold the suspensions of Brisbane’s Charlie Cameron and GWS’s Toby Bedford for what many fans and pundits consider to be legal tackles.
These statements have caused outrage in the AFL community, with legends and fans expressing their confusion over the statements.
Carey lashed out in a series of tweets after the decisions were made, beginning with: ‘Charlie C gets 3 weeks for tackle like that its an absolute joke!! AFLPA please do something #bulls**t’.
He then said: ‘Bedford better step down or the hunt will be over’, followed by: ‘Bring on State of Origin. It hasn’t lost its DNA yet’.
It was a revealing statement from one of the biggest names in the AFL, and he was far from alone in reacting strongly to the court’s decision.
Sydney Swans hero Jude Bolton posted on X: ‘FFS. 3 weeks! Seriously… where are we?’
ABC announcer Clint Wheeldon went further, calling the ban a “disgrace.”
Wayne Carey (pictured) was so angry about two highly controversial AFL tribunal decisions that he praised the NRL’s State of Origin showpiece on Tuesday night
The post from the great Kangaroos (pictured) promoted the NRL for retaining the hard-hitting aspects of the game – unlike the AFL, which he feels has ‘lost its DNA’
The football world was also outraged by Bedford’s suspension, with his GWS Giants team-mate Lachie Whitfield saying: “I just don’t know what to do any more. It’s very, very confusing. We’re all a bit shocked by the three weeks… I was stunned to be honest. You can only do so much.”
Former Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes took a similar tone to Wheeldon, calling Bedford’s suspension “disgraceful”.
GWS and Brisbane have announced they will refer the matters to the AFL Appeals Board.
During both hearings on Tuesday night, AFL lawyer Lisa Hannon argued that Cameron and Bedford should have let go of their opponents’ arms and been more careful when tackling.
“The fact that Cameron’s foot became entangled with Duggan’s was entirely foreseeable and not an exceptional circumstance in a close-range tackle,” said Hannon, who also told Bedford he should have acted in the same way.
Carey joined a host of football fans and pundits who were furious at the decision to uphold Charlie Cameron’s three-match ban for this tackle on Liam Duggan
The Kangaroos great was also furious when GWS star Toby Bedford was not given a suspension for this tackle on Tim Taranto
Cameron’s Lions team-mate Josh Dunkley and Bedford’s Giants captain Toby Greene both expressed their dismay at their respective suspensions.
“When I first saw it I was standing next to Nathan Broad (of Richmond) and we had a conversation about it. We saw the replay and thought, if Tim’s got a concussion, maybe they’ll give it a week and then you can probably challenge it,” Greene told Fox Footy.
“If he gets three weeks, I don’t think it’s right. He’s making a legitimate move.
I feel like this is crossing a line.
“This is a tackle you’ll see in AFL football for the next 50 years.
“If you want to eradicate this, you’re just going to have to get back up.”
Under AFL rules, the Lions and GWS could argue that there was an error of law at the tribunal hearing, that the decision was unreasonable or that the characterisation of the offence or the sanction imposed was clearly excessive.