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The AFL has intervened to block Wayne Carey’s impending elevation to Legend status in the NSW Hall of Fame, amid the league’s ongoing campaign against gendered violence.
With players and coaches at all nine games this weekend linking arms around the centre circle pre-match in a tribute for women killed in domestic violence incidents, news of the former North Melbourne and Adelaide great’s impending elevation was viewed by many as tone deaf, in light of historic domestic violence and assault allegations against Carey.
These include the 52-year old allegedly smashing a wine glass over then-girlfriend Kate Neilson in Miami in 2007, as well as being arrested in Las Vegas for a misdemeanour battery while on holiday with ex-wife Sally McMahon, over which he spent one night in custody.
As reported by News Corp, AFL CEO Andrew Dillon personally rang Carey to explain the decision.
“The AFL acknowledge the decision by a committee of NSW football industry people to recognise Wayne Carey’s contribution on the football field as part of 100 inaugural inductees in the NSW Hall of Fame,” Dillon said in a statement to the Herald Sun and Nine’s The Age.
“His contribution on the field is also why he was recognised in the AFL Hall of Fame in 2010.
“We didn’t think it was the right decision [to name him a Legend]. I called Wayne Carey earlier this morning to inform him of this and he agreed that being made a Legend would take away from the event and the important focus on the national response to the issue of gender-based violence against women.
“He also agreed the focus should be on the inaugural inductees and the nine legends of NSW Football that will be announced tonight.”
Carey was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2010, with his off-field controversies delaying his nomination.
Despite being regarded as one of the greatest footballers ever, he is yet to be inaugurated as a Legend.
Wayne Carey. (Getty Images/Julian Smith)
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley concedes his punt on Connor Rozee backfired spectacularly after the captain was hurt again in a 30-point loss to arch rivals Adelaide.
Crow Izak Rankine kicked three goals and set up two others in his side’s 12.6 (78) to 5.18 (48) triumph on Thursday night at Adelaide Oval.
Rozee will be sent for more hamstring scans after failing to finish a game for the second week in a row. “I made a mistake playing Connor Rozee tonight. That was clear, it was obvious,” Hinkley said.
“I can try and hide behind it but I am not a coward when it comes to owning a mistake, and that was what it was.
“I let Connor down by letting him play.”
Rozee was subbed out at three quarter-time, Mitch Georgiades copped a knock to a knee, and Lachie Jones appeared hobbled by a leg injury in a loss which leaves Port with a 5-3 win-loss record.
Speaking on SEN on Friday morning, Power great Kane Cornes, a long-time Hinkley backer, described picking Rozee as ‘ridiculous’.
“One thing I don’t like doing is questioning the medical staffs of clubs because they all have the best interests of the players at heart, and they make these tricky decisions with the best intentions,” he said.
“But it was just so obvious because you saw it last week, he couldn’t go… then to take a risk like that with a hamstring injury – and credit to Ken for saying I made the mistake – but I don’t think that’s just okay because you make a mistake.
“It was such an obvious mistake to avoid and now the fallout is significant from it.
“Pre-game I said the worst case scenario for Port Adelaide is Port Adelaide lose Conor Rozee, or he plays poorly and or he does his hammy and this is a huge story.
“It’s a big story, the risk that they’ve taken there, and says a bit about the importance that they placed on this game and a risk that wasn’t worth taking anyway.
“It was ridiculous.”
The Crows move to 3-5 and hold overall boasting rights over Port: in 55 games between the SA rivals, Adelaide now have a 28-27 edge.
Adelaide led the entire game as midfielder Jake Soligo continued his rich form, winning the Showdown medal for best-afield for his 27 disposals and 10 tackles.
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Fellow on-ballers Matt Crouch (28 touches), Jordan Dawson (24) and Rory Laird (26) were busy and Darcy Fogarty (two goals) was a standout in attack.
Veteran Taylor Walker also booted two goals while Mark Keane and Josh Worrell were superb in defence.
“That was a really good performance,” Crows coach Matthew Nicks said.
“It may have looked scrappy on the telly, it couldn’t have been more perfect from our point of view so a really pleasing all-round performance.”
Port vice-captain Zak Butters gathered a game-high 33 disposals and Miles Bergman (20 touches) and Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines (22) battled gamely.
Jason Horne-Francis (two goals) was damaging in spurts and Dan Houston (20 possessions) was accomplished at halfback.
© AAP
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