Carey looks forward to Hall of Fame - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Carey looks forward to Hall of Fame

By Sam Lienert 03/05/2010 04:05:43 PM Comments (0)

Former North Melbourne great Wayne Carey says he looks forward to his upcoming induction into the AFL Hall of Fame ending constant debate about his worthiness for the honour.

Carey was eligible in both 2008 and 2009, but was overlooked both times, with his off-field misbehaviour outweighing his undisputed on-field greatness.

Reports that he is set to finally receive the honour at the AFL's June 3 ceremony have again met with mixed reactions, some critics insisting he should still fall short under the character clause.

The 38-year-old declined to confirm he had been notified of his imminent induction, saying "I can't say too much", but said it would be welcome if it did come.

"It would be a huge honour," he told sports news website backpagelead.com.au on Monday.

"It does I suppose put an end to another chapter, if you like, there's always talk about it every year since I've been eligible to be inducted.

"If it was to happen, I'd be rapt, I'd be humbled and I'd be over the moon.

"If it was to happen, at least we won't be talking about it again next year and for me that's a positive."

But he said his critics were entitled to their views.

"It's a big deal, it's the Hall of Fame, so people are going to have their opinions."

Carey's football credentials are beyond question, as one of the all-time greats of the game.

He played 244 games with the Kangaroos from 1989-2001, 184 of them as captain, including the 1996 and 1999 premierships.

He was a four-time best and fairest and five-time leading goalkicker.

But he had to quit the club in disgrace on the eve of the 2002 season, after being discovered in an affair with the wife of teammate Anthony Stevens.

He played 28 games with Adelaide in 2003-2004.

Since retiring, Carey was charged with assault over an incident in the United States in 2007, and was convicted and fined last year over the assault of two police officers in Melbourne in 2008.

Carey was inducted into North Melbourne's Hall of Fame last year, using the occasion to publicly apologise for mistakes made in his personal life.

He said at that time he had been a success as a footballer but a "failure as an emotionally mature man".

Brought to you by AAP AAP © 2024 AAP

0 Comments about this article

Post a comment about this article

Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.

« All sports news