Wayne Carey, widely regarded as North Melbourne’s greatest ever player, is returning to the club in a stunning homecoming. He will accompany them to their centenary game next week against the Western Bulldogs. This occurrence is a historic point in the club’s history. Carey will be joined by his old mates Anthony Stevens and Glenn Archer, though the stormy history that once drove his ignoble exit will still linger.
As captain, Carey led North Melbourne to premiership wins in 1996 and 1999. His decorated career includes four best and fairest awards and seven selections to the All-Australian team with him captaining the team in four of those selections. His remarkable 244-game playing career with the club propelled him to mighty contributions to the team. In turn, he was enshrined into the North Melbourne and Australian Football Hall of Fame.
Yet Carey’s legacy has been colored by personal scandals. He left North Melbourne in scandal after his affair with Stevens’ wife, which was known to the club, became public. This scandal unfortunately engulfed all of his field accomplishments. After that accident, he finished his AFL career strong with two more years at Adelaide. He then inexplicably went on to a lucrative career in media.
Carey has taken his kids to training at North Melbourne. The renewed life appears to be in large part due to his intense desire to move back to the club. His presence at the upcoming centenary match represents a rapprochement between himself and fans and ex-colleagues alike.
In recent years, Carey was a joint guest with Glenn Archer at North Melbourne’s 25-year premiership reunion. Anthony Stevens chose not to attend the Gathering. Most recently he was excluded from the club’s centenary celebration guernsey video in 2022. To the surprise of many advocates and observers, this exclusion was included.
Former player and commentator, Luke Hodge, said that because of the role he played, it was vital that Carey attend the centenary event.
“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.” – Luke Hodge
Carey’s relationship with the club was an intense love-hate affair. An argument that ensued last year between him and Stevens at a Washington D.C. bar proved how complicated things can become. Against all odds, most supporters are convinced Carey’s return spells healing and community-building within the club.
Football commentator David Wilson observed that Carey’s slow reintegration to the club is part of a larger move to repair relationships.
“And I think it’s been a slow and steady overture. He would say he was never banned from the club, but at times, probably didn’t feel all that welcome,” – Wilson
As North Melbourne prepares for its centenary match, supporters are keenly aware of Carey’s pivotal role in the club’s history. Beyond the symbolism, this match is an acknowledgment of North Melbourne’s deep history. Equally, it’s an opportunity for Carey to reconnect with the fans who idolised him as their captain.
Hodge further encapsulated this sentiment, stating:
“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.” – Luke Hodge
