Sydney Swans greats Tony Lockett and Paul Kelly among nine legends inducted to NSW Australian Football Hall of Fame – after Wayne Carey was sensationally snubbed pre-function
Sydney Swans greats Tony Lockett and Paul Kelly were among nine identities inducted into the inaugural NSW Australian Football Hall of Fame at a gala dinner at the SCG on Friday evening.
Wayne Carey was set to become the group’s tenth legend – before AFL CEO Andrew Dillon intervened at the eleventh hour to sensationally block his elevation.
In March, 100 people, ranging from players and coaches to administrators, referees and media personalities, were officially inducted into the Hall of Fame.
On Friday’s black tie night, nine of that group were awarded Legend status as a result of their “outstanding service and overall contribution to the game.”
Lockett and Kelly – who both played in the 1996 AFL Grand Final – which the Swans lost to Carey’s North Melbourne – were recognized alongside former Sydney Swans chairman Richard Colless, Terry Daniher, Jack Dean, Haydn Bunton, Ralph Robertson, Harry J Hedger MBE and Jim Phelan.
Sydney Swans greats Tony Lockett (pictured left) and Paul Kelly (right) were among nine identities inducted into the inaugural NSW Australian Football Hall of Fame on Friday evening
Lockett enjoyed two stints with the Swans, culminating in the 1996 Grand Final
Swan great Jarrad McVeigh made it a family affair with his wife and two daughters
Fellow AFL great Mark McVeigh was also in attendance with his wife and children
Crows star Tex Walker (right) – who accepted a NSW scholarship contract with Adelaide at the age of 16 – also graced the red carpet
Numerous members of the Swans’ 2005 and 2012 Premiership teams were spotted in the venue, including coach John Longmire and club greats Brett Kirk and Jarrad McVeigh.
“It’s important people understand that NSW has been playing Australian football for more than 140 years,” said Tiffany Robertson, head of AFL NSW/ACT.
“There have been countless talented players and dedicated volunteers who have built a strong culture and rich history for the code across the state.
‘The Hall of Fame is a tribute to all those people who have given so much.
“Congratulations to everyone who was recognized.”
In the hours leading up to the NSW Hall of Fame ceremony, the AFL stunned the football world by preventing controversial great Wayne Carey from receiving his decorated individual honour.
In a last-minute phone call, league boss Andrew Dillon called double North Melbourne premiership winner to inform him of the decision, just hours before Carey was due to be elevated to Legend status at the Sydney Cricket Ground function.
Carey was photographed earlier in the day arriving in the city with his partner Jessica Paulke.
The 52-year-old was told the league believes it is inappropriate for him to receive the honor because the AFL takes a very public stance on violence against women, observing a minute’s silence during ceremonies before the eighth competitions are held.
Carey (pictured arriving in Sydney on Friday with partner Jessica Paulke) only learned of the AFL’s surprise move hours before he was due to attend the Hall of Fame ceremony at the SCG
AFL boss Andrew Dillon personally called Carey (pictured) to deliver the news
Carey is accused of shocking behavior towards women during and after his playing career.
However, that didn’t stop him from being inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2010.
“The AFL recognizes the decision of a committee of NSW football industry practitioners to recognize Wayne Carey’s contribution on the football field as part of the 100 inaugural inductees into the NSW Hall of Fame,” Dillon said in a statement.
“His contribution on the field is also why he was recognized in the AFL Hall of Fame in 2010. On Friday afternoon, the AFL Executive was informed of the NSW Hall of Fame Committee’s decision to elevate Carey to Legend status.
‘We didn’t think this was the right decision. I called Wayne Carey to inform him about this and he agreed that being made Legend would take away from the event and the important focus on the national response to the issue of gender-based violence against women.”
Dillon said Carey agreed with the move once the motivation behind it was explained to him.
The move to block Carey (pictured during his time with North Melbourne in 2000) came about amid allegations about his shocking behavior towards women.
The timing of the Hall of Fame award was terrible for the AFL, which prompts players to make public gestures at every round of 8 match as the league takes a stand on violence against women (photo: Crows and Power players during a minute’s silence on Thursday night)
In 1996, Carey admitted to 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 victory over Sydney in the AFL grand final that same year, playing 271 career games.
In 2002, Carey infamously had an 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 breaking a wine glass in former fiancée Kate Neilson’s face.
Neilson declined to press charges but later said she was “bleeding profusely from the mouth.”
Carey also pleaded guilty to two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer when he fought police after the incident with Neilson.
In 2008, police were forced to use capsicum spray to subdue Carey after he attacked officers in Port Melbourne.
In 2007, Carey was accused of glassing his then partner Kate Neilson (pictured together) in a restaurant in America. She refused to press charges
Like the AFL Hall of Fame, the NSW equivalent can block players on the grounds of ‘integrity, sportsmanship and character’.
Earlier this week, Dillon said: ‘When it comes to violence against women, the only acceptable number is zero.’
But he also trumpeted for the NSW Hall of Fame – and Carey’s induction into it.
“Australian football in NSW has a deeper history than many realise,” he said.
“Congratulations to the Hall of Fame inductees, each has played a significant role in improving football in NSW.
Dillon’s decision to block the honor should be closely watched after Carey’s alleged past scandals failed to prevent him from being elevated to the AFL Hall of Fame in 2010.
“I look forward to learning more about these many greats and hearing their stories in the coming months and years, as footy culture continues to permeate across NSW.”
The move to block Carey’s personal honor comes after footy fans rejected the league’s stance on violence against women at this weekend’s matches.
Players, coaches and referees gather in the center of the field to form a circle and pay a silent tribute to the women who lost their lives, before an MC reads a statement to the crowd.
However, many footy fans have rejected the move, insisting the AFL is hypocritical for appearing to welcome a player like Tarryn Thomas, who has pleaded guilty to threatening to distribute intimate videos of a former partner and has faced with accusations of shameful practices. behavior with women.
“Nothing more than hypocritical grandstanding,” one fan wrote on X.