Latest news with #DenisPagan
Courier-Mail
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
AFL coaching great Denis Pagan, Wayne Carey's son Carter fire up North Melbourne Kangaroos
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. North Melbourne legend Denis Pagan had a priceless clip for the current squad on a special night for the Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium. The club celebrated its Centenary on Thursday night, competing for much of the game before eventually getting outclassed 20.14 (134) to 13.7 (85) by the Western Bulldogs. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Founded in 1869 as the North Melbourne Football Club, it joined the former Victorian Football League competition exactly 100 years ago, in 1925. Adopting the name Kangaroos in 1950, the club has typically had a working class, backs-to-the-wall spirit throughout its history. Watch Denis Pagan fire up the Roos in the player above Denis Pagan, Wayne Carey and his son Carter with the 1996 Premiership Cup. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images) Club great Glenn Archer and North president Sonja Hood ahead of the game. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images) Since Pagan led the Roos to premierships in 1996 and 1999, however, the club has fallen on hard times. Pagan, 77, who was given the honour of being named coach of the club's Team of the Century, provided a classic pre-match speech in an effort to inspire the 'Shinboners' on such a special night. And in trademark style, he didn't pull any punches. After taking the current list through a short history of the club, Pagan couldn't resist bringing up North's dreadful 85-point belting against the Hawks last weekend. 'The 90s came along and we had a great team then, very similar to the 70s,' Pagan said as his volume increased. (left to right) Brett Allison, Mark Roberts, Wayne Carey, John Longmire and Corey McKernan back in 1994. Photo: Herald Sun Carey leaps into the arms of Corey McKernan during the 1999 grand final. Photo: Michael Klein 'No one intimidated us. We had a mantra, 'war without weapons'. Everyone who ran out put his body on the line. 'I want to see you blokes do that tonight. I had a look at Hawthorn last week and I can tell you what, a lot of you blokes have got a bit to answer for. 'Tonight, you make sure that you're hard at the ball, you're hard at the man with the ball, you tackle and chase, you put pressure on your opponent. 'No day dreaming, just go for it and give it your best shot.' It had the desired effect, especially in the first half, on a night that was still tinged with controversy for North Melbourne. Pagan and troubled club great Wayne Carey brought the 1996 Premiership Cup onto the field as part of the celebrations before the game got underway. Former skipper Carey is widely considered North's greatest ever player, captaining the club to those two flags in the 1990s. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY But he is also synonymous with one of the biggest scandals in club history, when his affair with the wife of teammate Anthony Stevens came to light in 2002, leading to Carey's sacking and plummeting the club into a long period at the foot of the ladder. Carey was largely shunned by the Roos for many years, but has slowly been incorporated back into club functions in recent times. His son Carter shared a cute moment with current North Melbourne star Harry Sheezel a day before the game when the six-year-old was presented with a signed jumper from his favourite player. Carter was also alongside his dad and Pagan when the 96 Cup was brought out onto the ground. The Roos of old were renowned for lifting and beating the odds and some of that seemed to rub off on the 2025 side early on Thursday night. Carey addresses the media over a white powder scandal at Crown Casino in Perth. Picture: Catie McLeod Harry Sheezel (right) presents a North Melbourne jumper to Carey's son Carter. Picture: Ian Currie Big key forward Nick Larkey kicked three goals in the opening term as North took a surprise six-point lead into the first change. Despite a knee concern, Larkey slotted another two goals in the second quarter as the teams traded goals before the heavily favoured Dogs took a 13-point lead into halftime. It was an encouraging performance from a team making slow strides under coach Alastair Clarkson before the Bulldogs powered to victory in the second half. But many fans were loving the appearance of Carey and his son as part of such a special night for the perennial battlers. North Melbourne's official Instagram account posted a photo of the Careys with Sheezel with the caption: 'Carter Carey meets his favourite Roo️. Make sure you're in your seat by 6.45pm AEST tonight for our Centenary celebrations, with the Duck and Denis Pagan to deliver the 1996 premiership cup!' Denis Pagan addressed the North players before the clash with the Bulldogs. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images) The occasion appeared to inspire Nick Larkey in the first half. (Photo by) One North fan replied: 'Oh finally the greatest ever kanga is gracing my screen. Hail the KING.' Another wrote: 'Former Captain to future captain. Awesome photo. Long live the (king).' A third stated: 'Best photo I've seen come out of the club in years.' A number of Kangaroos fans were making the same joke about the son of a club great. 'Can carter play this week?' and 'can he play centre half forward?' were among some of the comments from the optimistic fan base. Carey's countless scandals since the end of his playing days, including allegations of domestic violence and problems with drugs and alcohol, have left many footy fans struggling to accept his return into the sport's mainstream. It's clear a number of North fans are prepared to move on, however, particularly on such an important night in the club's long, proud history. Originally published as Coaching great Denis Pagan, Wayne Carey's son fire up Kangaroos
The Advertiser
12 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Pagan revs up North in pre-game centenary ceremony
North Melbourne were served a vintage Denis Pagan rev-up to steel them for their AFL centenary celebration match. After the controversy over the last few days about how past greats were to be honoured, the Kangaroos put on an impressive pre-game ceremony on Thursday night at Marvel Stadium before playing the Western Bulldogs. Pagan, the two-time North premiership coach renowned for his tough love, had one of the key roles in the pre-match and he did not disappoint. Past greats joined the current players in forming a circle around Pagan on the ground, a couple of minutes before the first bounce, for his pre-match speech. Pagan made his thoughts clear about last week's 85-point loss to Hawthorn. "No-one intimidated us - we had a mantra, war without weapons," the 1996 and '99 premiership coach said of his teams, who won the club's most recent flags. "Everyone who ran out put his body on the line. "I want to see you blokes do that tonight. I had a look at Hawthorn last week ... a lot of you blokes have got a bit to answer for. "You make sure you're hard at the ball, you're hard at the man with the ball, you tackle and chase, you put pressure on your opponent - no daydreaming, just go for it and give it your best shot." Pagan's passionate two-minute speech went through club history, from the barren early days in the AFL through to the breakthrough 1970s premierships and then to the '90s. He noted in the early days, North were usually "hit from pillar to post". "They were able to get up off the canvas and come to fight again - probably a little bit similar to what you blokes have to do tonight," Pagan added. "You have to take a page out of their book." Earlier, as part of the parade of club greats, Pagan joined Wayne Carey in walking out onto the ground with the '99 premiership cup. Likewise, Wayne Schimmelbusch and Keith Greig ('75), David Dench and Malcolm Blight ('77) and Glenn Archer and Shannon Grant ('99) brought out their AFL premiership hardware. Coach Darren Crocker and Emma Kearney carried onto the ground last year's AFLW premiership cup. Sam Kekovich and John Burns, who played in the '75 premiership team, were controversial no-shows as expected. They were reportedly discontent with the fact their premiership was not to be recognised in a separate capacity - and also that the ceremony recognised the AFLW flag. Earlier on Friday, former AFL player Brendan Fevola said former players boycotting the ceremony were "absolute losers", noting Crocker also played in North's '96 premiership team. But two other notable inclusions in the pre-game ceremony were legendary former players Phil and Jim Krakouer, who represented the club's Indigenous heritage. The Krakouers are involved in a class action against the AFL for allegedly failing to protect players from on-field racial abuse. North Melbourne were served a vintage Denis Pagan rev-up to steel them for their AFL centenary celebration match. After the controversy over the last few days about how past greats were to be honoured, the Kangaroos put on an impressive pre-game ceremony on Thursday night at Marvel Stadium before playing the Western Bulldogs. Pagan, the two-time North premiership coach renowned for his tough love, had one of the key roles in the pre-match and he did not disappoint. Past greats joined the current players in forming a circle around Pagan on the ground, a couple of minutes before the first bounce, for his pre-match speech. Pagan made his thoughts clear about last week's 85-point loss to Hawthorn. "No-one intimidated us - we had a mantra, war without weapons," the 1996 and '99 premiership coach said of his teams, who won the club's most recent flags. "Everyone who ran out put his body on the line. "I want to see you blokes do that tonight. I had a look at Hawthorn last week ... a lot of you blokes have got a bit to answer for. "You make sure you're hard at the ball, you're hard at the man with the ball, you tackle and chase, you put pressure on your opponent - no daydreaming, just go for it and give it your best shot." Pagan's passionate two-minute speech went through club history, from the barren early days in the AFL through to the breakthrough 1970s premierships and then to the '90s. He noted in the early days, North were usually "hit from pillar to post". "They were able to get up off the canvas and come to fight again - probably a little bit similar to what you blokes have to do tonight," Pagan added. "You have to take a page out of their book." Earlier, as part of the parade of club greats, Pagan joined Wayne Carey in walking out onto the ground with the '99 premiership cup. Likewise, Wayne Schimmelbusch and Keith Greig ('75), David Dench and Malcolm Blight ('77) and Glenn Archer and Shannon Grant ('99) brought out their AFL premiership hardware. Coach Darren Crocker and Emma Kearney carried onto the ground last year's AFLW premiership cup. Sam Kekovich and John Burns, who played in the '75 premiership team, were controversial no-shows as expected. They were reportedly discontent with the fact their premiership was not to be recognised in a separate capacity - and also that the ceremony recognised the AFLW flag. Earlier on Friday, former AFL player Brendan Fevola said former players boycotting the ceremony were "absolute losers", noting Crocker also played in North's '96 premiership team. But two other notable inclusions in the pre-game ceremony were legendary former players Phil and Jim Krakouer, who represented the club's Indigenous heritage. The Krakouers are involved in a class action against the AFL for allegedly failing to protect players from on-field racial abuse. North Melbourne were served a vintage Denis Pagan rev-up to steel them for their AFL centenary celebration match. After the controversy over the last few days about how past greats were to be honoured, the Kangaroos put on an impressive pre-game ceremony on Thursday night at Marvel Stadium before playing the Western Bulldogs. Pagan, the two-time North premiership coach renowned for his tough love, had one of the key roles in the pre-match and he did not disappoint. Past greats joined the current players in forming a circle around Pagan on the ground, a couple of minutes before the first bounce, for his pre-match speech. Pagan made his thoughts clear about last week's 85-point loss to Hawthorn. "No-one intimidated us - we had a mantra, war without weapons," the 1996 and '99 premiership coach said of his teams, who won the club's most recent flags. "Everyone who ran out put his body on the line. "I want to see you blokes do that tonight. I had a look at Hawthorn last week ... a lot of you blokes have got a bit to answer for. "You make sure you're hard at the ball, you're hard at the man with the ball, you tackle and chase, you put pressure on your opponent - no daydreaming, just go for it and give it your best shot." Pagan's passionate two-minute speech went through club history, from the barren early days in the AFL through to the breakthrough 1970s premierships and then to the '90s. He noted in the early days, North were usually "hit from pillar to post". "They were able to get up off the canvas and come to fight again - probably a little bit similar to what you blokes have to do tonight," Pagan added. "You have to take a page out of their book." Earlier, as part of the parade of club greats, Pagan joined Wayne Carey in walking out onto the ground with the '99 premiership cup. Likewise, Wayne Schimmelbusch and Keith Greig ('75), David Dench and Malcolm Blight ('77) and Glenn Archer and Shannon Grant ('99) brought out their AFL premiership hardware. Coach Darren Crocker and Emma Kearney carried onto the ground last year's AFLW premiership cup. Sam Kekovich and John Burns, who played in the '75 premiership team, were controversial no-shows as expected. They were reportedly discontent with the fact their premiership was not to be recognised in a separate capacity - and also that the ceremony recognised the AFLW flag. Earlier on Friday, former AFL player Brendan Fevola said former players boycotting the ceremony were "absolute losers", noting Crocker also played in North's '96 premiership team. But two other notable inclusions in the pre-game ceremony were legendary former players Phil and Jim Krakouer, who represented the club's Indigenous heritage. The Krakouers are involved in a class action against the AFL for allegedly failing to protect players from on-field racial abuse.
News.com.au
13 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Coaching great Denis Pagan, Wayne Carey's son fire up Kangaroos
North Melbourne legend Denis Pagan had a priceless clip for the current squad on a special night for the Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium. The club is celebrating its Centenary on Thursday night as the Roos take on the high-flying Western Bulldogs. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Founded in 1869 as the North Melbourne Football Club, it joined the former Victorian Football League competition exactly 100 years ago, in 1925. Adopting the name Kangaroos in 1950, the club has typically had a working class, backs-to-the-wall spirit throughout its history. Watch Denis Pagan fire up the Roos in the player above Since Pagan led the Roos to premierships in 1996 and 1999, however, the club has fallen on hard times. Pagan, 77, who was given the honour of being named coach of the club's Team of the Century, provided a classic pre-match speech in an effort to inspire the 'Shinboners' on such a special night. And in trademark style, he didn't pull any punches. After taking the current list through a short history of the club, Pagan couldn't resist bringing up North's dreadful 85-point belting against the Hawks last weekend. 'The 90s came along and we had a great team then, very similar to the 70s,' Pagan said as his volume increased. 'No one intimidated us. We had a mantra, 'war without weapons'. Everyone who ran out put his body on the line. 'I want to see you blokes do that tonight. I had a look at Hawthorn last week and I can tell you what, a lot of you blokes have got a bit to answer for. 'Tonight, you make sure that you're hard at the ball, you're hard at the man with the ball, you tackle and chase, you put pressure on your opponent. 'No day dreaming, just go for it and give it your best shot.' Pagan and troubled club great Wayne Carey brought the 1996 Premiership Cup onto the field as part of the celebrations before the game got underway. Former skipper Carey is widely considered North's greatest ever player, captaining the club to those two flags in the 1990s. But he is also synonymous with one of the biggest scandals in club history, when his affair with the wife of teammate Anthony Stevens came to light in 2002, leading to Carey's sacking and plummeting the club into a long period at the foot of the ladder. Carey was largely shunned by the Roos for many years, but has slowly been incorporated back into club functions in recent times. His son Carter shared a cute moment with current North Melbourne star Harry Sheezel a day before the game when the six-year-old was presented with a signed jumper from his favourite player. Carter was also alongside his dad and Pagan when the 96 Cup was brought out onto the ground. The Roos of old were renowned for lifting and beating the odds and some of that seemed to rub off on the 2025 side early on Thursday night. Big key forward Nick Larkey kicked three goals in the opening term as North took a surprise six-point lead into the first change. Despite a knee concern, Larkey slotted another two goals in the second quarter as the teams traded goals before the heavily favoured Dogs took a 13-point lead into halftime. It was an encouraging performance from a team making slow strides under coach Alastair Clarkson. But fans were loving the appearance of Carey and his son as part of such a special night for the perennial battlers. North Melbourne's official Instagram account posted a photo of the Careys with Sheezel with the caption: 'Carter Carey meets his favourite Roo�. Make sure you're in your seat by 6.45pm AEST tonight for our Centenary celebrations, with the Duck and Denis Pagan to deliver the 1996 premiership cup!' One North fan replied: 'Oh finally the greatest ever kanga is gracing my screen. Hail the KING.' Another wrote: 'Former Captain to future captain. Awesome photo. Long live the (king).' A third stated: 'Best photo I've seen come out of the club in years.' A number of Kangaroos fans were making the same joke about the son of a club great. 'Can carter play this week?' and 'can he play centre half forward?' were among some of the comments from the optimistic fan base. Carey's countless scandals since the end of his playing days, including allegations of domestic violence and problems with drugs and alcohol, have left many footy fans struggling to accept his return into the sport's mainstream. It's clear a number of North fans are prepared to move on, however, particularly on such an important night in the club's long, proud history.
Perth Now
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Pagan revs up North in pre-game centenary ceremony
North Melbourne were served a vintage Denis Pagan rev-up to steel them for their AFL centenary celebration match. After the controversy over the last few days about how past greats were to be honoured, the Kangaroos put on an impressive pre-game ceremony on Thursday night at Marvel Stadium before playing the Western Bulldogs. Pagan, the two-time North premiership coach renowned for his tough love, had one of the key roles in the pre-match and he did not disappoint. Past greats joined the current players in forming a circle around Pagan on the ground, a couple of minutes before the first bounce, for his pre-match speech. Pagan made his thoughts clear about last week's 85-point loss to Hawthorn. "No-one intimidated us - we had a mantra, war without weapons," the 1996 and '99 premiership coach said of his teams, who won the club's most recent flags. "Everyone who ran out put his body on the line. "I want to see you blokes do that tonight. I had a look at Hawthorn last week ... a lot of you blokes have got a bit to answer for. "You make sure you're hard at the ball, you're hard at the man with the ball, you tackle and chase, you put pressure on your opponent - no daydreaming, just go for it and give it your best shot." Pagan's passionate two-minute speech went through club history, from the barren early days in the AFL through to the breakthrough 1970s premierships and then to the '90s. He noted in the early days, North were usually "hit from pillar to post". "They were able to get up off the canvas and come to fight again - probably a little bit similar to what you blokes have to do tonight," Pagan added. "You have to take a page out of their book." Earlier, as part of the parade of club greats, Pagan joined Wayne Carey in walking out onto the ground with the '99 premiership cup. Likewise, Wayne Schimmelbusch and Keith Greig ('75), David Dench and Malcolm Blight ('77) and Glenn Archer and Shannon Grant ('99) brought out their AFL premiership hardware. Coach Darren Crocker and Emma Kearney carried onto the ground last year's AFLW premiership cup. Sam Kekovich and John Burns, who played in the '75 premiership team, were controversial no-shows as expected. They were reportedly discontent with the fact their premiership was not to be recognised in a separate capacity - and also that the ceremony recognised the AFLW flag. Earlier on Friday, former AFL player Brendan Fevola said former players boycotting the ceremony were "absolute losers", noting Crocker also played in North's '96 premiership team. But two other notable inclusions in the pre-game ceremony were legendary former players Phil and Jim Krakouer, who represented the club's Indigenous heritage. The Krakouers are involved in a class action against the AFL for allegedly failing to protect players from on-field racial abuse.
7NEWS
16 hours ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Denis Pagan roasts North Melbourne players in pre-game rev-up to mark centenary celebrations
Dual premiership coach Denis Pagan has given North Melbourne players a rev-up to mark their centenary ahead of Thursday night's clash with the Western Bulldogs. The Kangaroos shifted the celebrations to ensure their flag triumphs took place in prime time, and the 77-year-old coach took centre stage. Mic'd up, he stood in the middle of the Roos' 23 players taking the field and promptly demanded more after last week's 85-point loss to Hawthorn. Pagan touched on North's history before recalling his famous 1990s sides. 'We had a great team then, very similar to the '70s. No one intimidated us. We had a mantra — 'war without weapons',' he said. 'Everyone who ran out put his body on the line. I want to see you blokes do that tonight. 'I had a look at Hawthorn last week and I can tell you what, a lot of you blokes have got a bit to answer for.' Fans immediately cheered as Pagan continued. 'Tonight, you make sure that you're hard at the ball, you're hard at the man with the ball, you tackle him, you chase, you put pressure on your opponent. No daydreaming, just go for it and give it your best shot!' he said. North greats were all smiles as they shook hands with the current players ahead of the game. 'Well that was a little bit of Denis Pagan of old. I don't know about you gentlemen but I've got goosebumps. I am ready to play after that rev-up,' Bec Maddern said on Channel 7. Nick Riewoldt said: 'No wonder they were so good in the '90s, how could you not be with an address like that? I loved a bit of a hard edge there.' Kane Cornes, a high-profile critic of North Melbourne this year, loved the call to arms and said it was 'amazing'. In a special pre-game edition of Roaming Brian, North president Sonja Hood said it was a 'wonderful' show while club great Ross Glendinning praised the 'fantastic' initiative — and couldn't resist a joke. 'I'm worried about getting RSV or COVID because he spat that much,' Glendinning laughed. North's 1977 premiership captain David Dench said he hoped the players took in the message. 'I just hope the guys got a bit of adrenaline out of it so they can kick on and have a good game tonight,' he said. The celebrations were initially overshadowed by a planned boycott from multiple greats over the date clash and decision to honour North's 2024 AFLW premiers. But there was no negativity on the night. Darren Crocker played in the Kangaroos' 1996 flag and coached the AFLW side to the premiership last year. 'Very special,' he told Brian Taylor. 'It's 100 years, for us to be able to contribute in the W space is really special for the club and all our supporters. They've really got behind our W program. The rev-up was instantly followed by a celebration for the Bulldogs as Tom Liberatore ran out for his 250th game.
