'Together and united': AFL world reacts amid new revelation in Wayne Carey saga
Luke Hodge has declared "the club's bigger than anyone" after it was revealed on Tuesday night that Wayne Carey and Anthony Stevens will both be part of North Melbourne's centenary celebrations later this year. The Kangaroos will celebrate their 100 years of existence in the Round 17 game against the Western Bulldogs.
And journalist Caroline Wilson revealed on Channel 7 program 'The Agenda Setters' that Carey and Stevens will put their differences aside to both be present. Carey was infamously caught having an affair with Stevens' wife Kelli in 2002, and left North Melbourne in disgrace despite being the club captain.
The former best mates haven't repaired their relationship in the 23 years that have followed, and had a verbal altercation in 2022 at a private celebration to mark the 25-year anniversary of their 1996 premiership. Stevens was then absent when the players were paraded on the filed the next day.
The Kangaroos released a video late last year to celebrate 100 years in the VFL/AFL, and it controversially left Carey out. But Wilson has now revealed that Carey will be welcome in Round 17, where he, Stevens and fellow former teammate Glenn Archer will form a "united front".
Wilson said: 'All three men are well aware that they will be there together and united for the first time. There was speculation last year when North unveiled their centenary jumper. And if you remember, there were North champions from through the eras and there was no Wayne Carey (in the video) and Corey McKernan was very upset about this.
'They had a 25-year premiership reunion for the '96 flag, and there was an altercation at a pub between Anthony Stevens and Wayne Carey. We know the history there. They had to be separated. I don't think it was physical, but it was not nice.
'And when there was a motorcade the next day at Marvel Stadium, Anthony Stevens wasn't there and Wayne Carey was. So the club has worked really hard to get all these guys within the fold. And clearly you can't celebrate your 100th anniversary without Wayne Carey being there.'
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Former Hawthorn captain Hodge agreed it wouldn't be right if Carey wasn't there. 'This is just as much about the supporters who grew up watching the captain of their football team," he said. 'He captained two premierships and for him not to be at the 100-year celebration. I think a lot of supporters would walk away upset about that, because he was such a big part of them throughout the 90s.
'He was the face of the AFL. Some have touted him as the best player that they've ever seen play the game. All clubs have disagreements, but the club's bigger than anyone, and that's me, the celebration is about the players and it's about the supporters."
Hodge's comments are particularly telling considering he recently expressed his sadness that Cyril Rioli stayed away from Hawthorn's centenary celebrations. Hodge and Rioli caught up last weekend at the Gold Coast and Hawthorn game in Darwin, which Hodge said was the first time since 2018 that he'd been able to speak to his former premiership teammate.
Wilson said it's been "a slow and steady overture" to get Carey back involved with North Melbourne. "He would say he was never banned from the club, but at times, probably didn't feel all that welcome,' Wilson added.
Carey took to social media on Wednesday to deny he wasn't welcome at times, stating he'd been to "at least 10" big functions at the club since his retirement. The majority of fans were also happy to hear he'd be part of the centenary celebrations.
See you there duck 🏆🦘
— Shinboner (@page_gma) May 21, 2025
Guys a legend of the club. Best player to ever pull on the blue and white. Deserves to be there agree with caro on this one.
— Aussie Warrior (@bigunk420) May 20, 2025
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