North Melbourne AFL team's greatest players refuse to show up to 50th anniversary grand final celebration over one tiny detail
The event, which will commemorate the Kangaroos ' premiership win in 1975, has been organised to take place in a Melbourne bar, but the decision has reportedly annoyed more than a few former players.
'About eight to 10 [players] are not going to turn up because it's a stand-up function at a bar,' 3AW's Ross Stevenson reported earlier this week.
Top footy journalist Caroline Wilson confirmed the rumour on Channel Seven 's The Agenda Setters program on Tuesday night.
'I think this is a bit churlish,' said Wilson.
'They're also celebrating their first AFLW flag, so there's going to be a lot of people at this function.
'There isn't enough room for everyone to sit down. There will be people going in, people going out, stuff going on on the ground.
'C'mon guys, find a sofa, sit down with your buffet meal and celebrate with your mates.'
The 1975 premiership side includes an array of footy greats, including Malcolm Blight, Wayne Schimmelbusch and Sam Kekovich - with all the team members now in their 70s.
The side also included Barry Cable, who was in 2024 charged with with child sexual abuse after he allegedly assaulted a young girl in the 1960s.
The Kangaroos are also celebrating their 100th-year anniversary this year and will mark the landmark occasion at the Marvel Stadium during their Thursday night clash against the Western Bulldogs in round 17.
Plenty of fanfare is expected for the iconic match, with the club also set to welcome back several key faces from years gone by - including footy great Wayne Carey.
According to Channel 7's Caroline Wilson, Carey is due to return alongside former team-mates Anthony Stevens and Glenn Archer for the match.
Interestingly, the news came six months after the two-time Leigh Matthews winner, Carey, was controversially snubbed by North from a video celebrating their 100-year anniversary.
The Roos forward is seen as one of the greatest players to have played AFL footy, winning seven All-Australian jackets and guiding the North Melbourne club to two premierships in 1996 and 1999.
He also captained the team for eight years between 1993 and 2001.
Despite that, Carey, Stevens and Archer will now all reunite for the landmark celebration.
It comes following Carey's shocking and messy exit from the footy club back in 2001 after his extramarital affair with Steven's wife, Kelli.
The affair left the footy world stunned after they had been caught in a toilet at a house party.
The two-time premiership captain subsequently left the club to join the Crows.
'All three men (Carey, Stevens, Archer) are well aware that they will be there together and united for the first time,' Wilson said on The Agenda Setters.
'There was speculation last year when North unveiled their centenary jumper. And if you remember, there were North champions through the eras and there was no Wayne Carey. And Corey McKernan was very upset about this.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
16 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Shock reason pop star Dannii Minogue has been spotted in her hometown of Melbourne - after living in the UK for 30 years
, who lived in the UK for 30 years, looked very sad on Thursday when she was spotted out and about in Melbourne. She could be seen taking comfort from young Aussie actor Harrison Popple as she fought back tears. But all was not as it seems, as the Australian pop star, 53, was in St Kilda filming scenes for her glamorous TV comeback on a new Channel 5 drama, Imposter. The singer, who moved back Down Under in 2021 to be closer to her family, proved she's still got what it takes to be a screen star, decades after she quit acting. While filming, the hitmaker was garbed in a summery dress with watercolour and horse detailing. She topped it with a baby blue trench-coat and matching wedge heels as she shot emotional scenes with her co-star. Dannii appeared overjoyed to be on-set, opting for a natural glam look as she left her tresses down in loose waves. In between takes, Dannii could be seen keeping warm in a fluffy pink robe and comfortable boots as she ran lines with Harrison. She made sure to stay hydrated, keeping a water bottle clutched in her manicured hands whenever she took a break. One scene saw the star looking morose as she sat down at a picnic table with her fellow actors. Dannii got her start as a small screen darling on Young Talent Time and Home and Away, but jetted off to London in the early '90s to pursue global fame. Three decades after she left acting behind, the superstar is set to return to screens in the four-part murder mystery Imposter. The Aussie star will share the screen with former Coronation Street UK favourite Kym Marsh and Neighbours legend Jackie Woodburne. Jackie, 69, looked almost unrecognisable from her Susan Kennedy days, now sporting a much more mature look with silver hair. Dannii was a vision in baby blue while on set The cast were spotted on set in Melbourne, with filming underway in St Kilda where the popular eatery Riva was dressed as O'Riley On The Pier Hotel for the production. Melbourne will host all the filming, with other Aussie TV stars, Don Hany and Jane Harber, also spotted on set. Imposter is said to be centred around a murder at a seaside resort. Jackie will play matriarch Helen, whose refusal to sell her seaside hotel sparks a dramatic family feud with her three adult children. The series marks Jackie's first non-Neighbours role in more than 30 years. The plot thickens when Amanda, played by Kym, arrives claiming to be Helen's long-lost daughter given up for adoption years ago. As Amanda integrates into the family, doubts arise about her true identity, leading to a gripping tale of deception and betrayal that culminates in murder. Jackie had played beloved Neighbours character Susan, the wife of co-star Alan Fletcher's character Dr Karl Kennedy, since 1994. Since leaving Home and Away in 1990, Dannii has had a successful career, starring on The X Factor and more recently fronting the dating show I Kissed A Boy.
Daily Mail
16 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Why footy star Shaun Lane will thrive in retirement - and how a close friend's devastating injury left the backrower on edge EVERY NRL game
Parramatta Eels star Shaun Lane is cut from a different cloth, with the backrower adamant being a NRL player across a decade never defined him as a person. The backrower, 30, announced his retirement from the sport this week - and he will relish the opportunity to mentor the next generation of players in blue and gold in a newly created role at the club. Under contract until the end of 2026, Lane could have kept going - and be paid the kind of money most footy fans can only dream about. But ultimately Lane knew his passion for footy had waned, so it was time to hang up his boots and embrace the next phase of his life. 'Playing NRL was a chore at times, so it is definitely the right decision,' he told the Daily Mail. 'I was invested as an athlete, I don't have any regrets, but footy was never a religion for me. And I know for some guys it really is. The backrower, 30, announced his retirement from the sport this week - and he is relishing the opportunity to help mentor the next generation of players in blue and gold 'In saying that, I'm looking forward to giving back, and I'm thankful Parra have given me the opportunity to do so in the mental skills and athlete wellness space for the girls (NRLW) and pathways squads.' Lane - who has a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree and a Graduate Diploma in Psychology -will juggle his Eels commitments with fulltime work at Pro Era Performance. 'I will be working with my brother Brett, and as a firm we are placing focus on an integrated, scientific approach with athletes,' he said. 'Psychological and physical wellbeing is a space I'm passionate about. 'I've been setting myself (off-field) for a while now, I'm looking forward to it. 'Life will be busy, but it will be nice to be in a situation where if I think I should go for a run....I won't actually have to.' After chalking up 186 games in first grade across four clubs - the Bulldogs, Warriors, Sea Eagles and Eels - Lane has never forgotten what happened to close mate Kurt Drysdale in 2015. The promising hooker was playing for Cabramatta when he was left paralysed following a tackle. His life changed in an instant and he is likely to spend his remaining days confined to a wheelchair. 'These days Kurt is on the Gold Coast and we keep in touch,' Lane said. 'I often used to think before and during (NRL matches) what happened to Kurt could easily be me, it is pure luck in a contact sport. 'I certainly won't miss those intrusive thoughts on the field.' Additionally, Lane's dad has battled depression his whole life, which is why the second-rower - who played in the 2022 Grand Final - feels privileged to now be in a position to help shape the lives of future Eels stars. Parramatta general manager of football Mark O'Neill has no doubt Lane will be an invaluable asset for emerging players. 'Shaun has been a wonderful ambassador. He carries himself with humility, integrity and professionalism, and he's been an exceptional role model for younger players,' he said. 'We are proud to see him step into this important new role, where his leadership and passion for player welfare will continue to make a difference.'
Glasgow Times
25 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Dane Murray celebrates contract with goal as Celtic ease past Falkirk
The 22-year-old defender headed home Celtic's third goal of the second-round clash at Parkhead. Murray, who has already overcome two separate cruciate ligament injuries in his career, earlier signed a new deal that keeps him at the club until 2028. Daizen Maeda and Alistair Johnston were also on target and Falkirk defender Liam Henderson put through his own net before Keelan Adams scored an impressive consolation goal for the Premiership newcomers. Centre-back Murray was one of six players coming into the Celtic line-up alongside goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo, Auston Trusty, Arne Engels and Johnny Kenny. The Hoops beat then Championship side Falkirk 5-2 on their way to winning last season's tournament and this was another open encounter with both sides creating chances in the first half. Kenny volleyed wide early on after James Forrest's lay-off and former Celtic goalkeeper Scott Bain saved long-range strikes from Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney before scrambling to meet Henderson's wayward passback, which just went wide. Ross MacIver dragged a shot wide at the other end after a loose pass from Murray. The breakthrough came in the 26th minute after McGregor returned the ball into the box following a corner. Tierney ran on to meet the cross and nodded the ball down for Maeda to score with a diving header. There were further chances at each end before the break. Sinisalo saved brilliantly from Calvin Miller's 25-yard strike before denying Alfredo Agyeman and MacIver. Engels and Forrest missed close-range headers at the other end. Celtic were more dominant after the break and doubled their lead in the 54th minute after Falkirk lost possession from a throw-in. Johnston chased down Miller as the former Celtic player headed back towards his own goal and the right-back won the ball before curling into the far corner with his left foot. Murray got his big moment in the 61st minute when he headed home from an inswinging corner from Engels. Celtic went further ahead three minutes later as Yang Hyun-jun made an instant impact after coming on with home debutant Shin Yamada. The South Korean winger ran past two opponents after Celtic won the ball back deep in the Bairns half, and his low ball across the goalmouth was turned into his own net by Henderson. The noisy visiting fans got a chance to celebrate three minutes later when right-back Adams arrowed a shot into the top corner from 20 yards. That ended the flurry of goals as Celtic safely navigated their way into Saturday evening's quarter-final draw and avoided any injuries ahead of their Champions League play-off first leg against Kairat Almaty on Wednesday.
