View source for Wayne Carey

{{short description|Australian rules footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}}
{{Infobox AFL biography
| name = Wayne Carey
| image = GHFC Wayne Carey 110719 gnangarra-100-2.jpg
| caption = Carey in 2019
| nickname = The King, Duck<ref>{{cite web|title=Wayne Carey: How the affair began|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/wayne-carey-how-the-affair-began/story-e6frfkvr-1225790800772|website=News.com.au|publisher=News Corporation|access-date=25 September 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908031506/http://www.news.com.au/national/wayne-carey-how-the-affair-began/story-e6frfkvr-1225790800772|archive-date=8 September 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1971|5|27}}
| birth_place = [[Wagga Wagga]], [[New South Wales]], Australia
| originalteam = [[North Wagga Wagga|North Wagga]]<br>[[North Adelaide Football Club|North Adelaide]]
| height = 192 cm
| weight = 97 kg
| position = [[Centre half-forward]]
| statsend = 2004
| years1 = 1989–2001
| club1 = [[North Melbourne Football Club|North Melbourne]]
| games_goals1 = 244 (671)
| years2 = 2003–2004
| club2 = [[Adelaide Football Club|Adelaide]]
| games_goals2 = {{0}}28 {{0}}(56)
| games_goalstotal = 272 (727)
| sooyears1 = 1990
| sooteam1 = [[Australian rules football in New South Wales#Representative Team|New South Wales]]
| soogames_goals1 = 1 (1)
| sooyears2 = 1992
| sooteam2 = [[South Australia Australian rules football team|South Australia]]
| soogames_goals2 = 1 (2)
| sooyears3 = 1993
| sooteam3 = [[Australian rules football in New South Wales#Representative Team|NSW/ACT]]
| soogames_goals3 = 1 (1)
| nationalyears1 = 1998
| nationalteam1 = [[Australian International rules football team|Australia]]
| nationalgames_goals1 = 2 (4)
| careerhighlights = '''Club'''
*2× [[Australian Football League|AFL]] [[List of Australian Football League premiers|Premiership]]: [[1996 AFL Grand Final|1996]], [[1999 AFL Grand Final|1999]]
*2× [[Leigh Matthews Trophy]]: 1995, 1998
*7× [[All-Australian Team]]: 1993–1996, 1998–2000
*4× [[All-Australian Team]] Captain: 1993, 1998–2000
*4× [[Syd Barker Medal|North Melbourne Best & Fairest]]: 1992–1993, 1996, 1998
*5× [[List of North Melbourne Football Club leading goalkickers|North Melbourne leading goal kicker]]: 1995–1996, 1998–2000
*[[List of North Melbourne Football Club captains|North Melbourne Captain]]: 1993–2001
*[[Australian Football Hall of Fame]]
*[[North Melbourne Football Club#North Melbourne Team of the Century|North Melbourne Team of the Century]]: (<small>[[Centre half-forward|Centre Half Forward]])</small>
*North Melbourne Hall of Fame
*North Melbourne Team of the Century Captain
*[[Michael Tuck Medal]]: 1998
*3× [[Australian Football League pre-season competition|AFL Pre-Season]] Premiership: [[List of Australian Football League pre-season and night series premiers|1995, 1998<br>2003]]
*[[Australian Football League|VFL]]: U-19 Premiership: 1988
* [[Lou Richards Medal]]: 2000

'''Representative'''
* Captain of New South Wales/ACT: 1993
* Vice Captain of Southern NSW/ACT Team of the Century
* Captain of Australia: 1997
| fullname = 
}}
'''Wayne Francis Carey''' (born 27 May 1971) is a  former [[Australian rules football]]er who played with the [[North Melbourne Football Club]] and [[Adelaide Football Club]] in the [[Australian Football League]] (AFL).

A dual-premiership captain at North Melbourne ([[1996 AFL Grand Final|1996]] and [[1999 AFL Grand Final|1999)]], four-time North Melbourne best-and-fairest ([[Syd Barker Medal]]list) and seven-time [[All-Australian team|All-Australian]], Carey is nicknamed "'''The King'''", or "'''Duck'''". In 2001, he was named as [[centre half-forward]] and captain of [[North Melbourne Football Club#North Melbourne Team of the Century|North Melbourne's Team of the Century]], and in 2008 was named as Australian football's greatest-ever player, as part of a list of the top 50 players of all time, published in the book ''The Australian Game of Football'', which was released by the [[Australian Football League|League]] to celebrate 150 years of Australian rules football.<ref name="Mike Sheahan's top 50 players">{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsid=55909 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080310025812/http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsid=55909 |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 March 2008 |title=Mike Sheahan's top 50 players |publisher=AFL.com.au |access-date=29 September 2011}}</ref>

In 2002, he left North Melbourne in disgrace after it was revealed he had been having an extramarital affair with the wife of his then-teammate [[Anthony Stevens]]. He is also known for a string of legal problems, which include domestic violence charges and assault convictions.

From 2014, Carey has worked as a Friday night football commentator and ''[[Talking Footy]]'' panelist with [[Seven Network|Channel Seven]]. He has also written as a columnist for ''[[The Age]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wayne Carey |url=https://www.smh.com.au/by/wayne-carey-hvf40 |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref> and is a regular fixture on Triple M's ''[[The Rush Hour Triple M|The Rush Hour]]'' segment called "The Midweek Rub", which has since been spun off as its own podcast.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wayne Carey On 'Broken" North Melbourne |url=https://www.triplem.com.au/story/wayne-carey-on-broken-north-melbourne-200129 |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=Triple M |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Triple M Rocks Footy AFL - Triple M Footy AFL |url=https://omny.fm/shows/the-rub/playlists/podcast |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=omny.fm |language=en}}</ref> He had previously worked for [[3AW]] and [[Channel 9 Australia|Channel 9]] before being fired for a [[glassing]] incident in Miami.<ref name="thug" /> 
Carey worked at Channel 7, Triple M and The Age until 2022 when he was sacked from all three roles due to an alleged incident at the Perth Casino.
Carey then started his own podcast in 2023 called ''The Truth Hurts''; the original co-host was Ayrton Woolley in 2023 and then Tony Sheahan from 2024.

In late 2024, Carey joined the ‘You Cannot Be Serious’ podcast with Sam Newman.

==Early life and education ==
Wayne Francis Carey<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/event-news/all-australian|title=All Australian – AFL.com.au|website=afl.com.au|access-date=2018-11-26|archive-date=27 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127022603/http://www.afl.com.au/news/event-news/all-australian|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{better source|date=May 2024}} was born on born 27 May 1971,<ref>{{cite web | title=Wayne Carey | website=AFL Tables | url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/W/Wayne_Carey.html | language=en | access-date=3 May 2024}}</ref> the son of Kevin and Lynne Carey.<ref name=Denton/> Carey was one of five children, and he spent his early years in [[Wagga Wagga, New South Wales|Wagga Wagga]], New South Wales.<ref name="Carey">{{cite web|url=http://www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/museum/collections/hall-of-fame/inductees/carey,-wayne#.UbusSti4zvg|title=Wayne Carey|work=Sporting Hall of Fame: Australian Rules Football|publisher=[[Museum of the Riverina]]|year=2010|access-date=26 April 2007|archive-date=25 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225212845/http://www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/museum/collections/hall-of-fame/inductees/carey,-wayne#.UbusSti4zvg|url-status=dead}}</ref> His mother and father separated when Carey was aged six, with his mother taking four<ref name=Happell/> of the children to [[Adelaide]], living in a [[homeless shelter]].<ref name=Denton>{{cite interview|last=Carey|first=Wayne|subject-link=Wayne Carey|interviewer=[[Andrew Denton]]|title=Wayne Carey|publisher=[[ABC TV (Australian TV channel)|ABC TV]]|location=Australia|date=31 March 2008|work=[[Enough Rope]]|access-date=15 June 2013|url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/transcripts/s2201719.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601040145/http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/transcripts/s2201719.htm|archive-date=1 June 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> According to Carey's autobiography, his father was a violent man who had spent time at [[Mannus Correctional Centre]] and was troubled by alcoholism.<ref name=Denton/><ref name=Happell/><ref name=CareyDT>{{cite news|author=Carey, Wayne|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/carey-tells-of-violent-childhood/story-e6frexni-1225790901296|work=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Sunday Telegraph]]|title=Carey tells of violent childhood|date=25 October 2009|access-date=14 June 2013}}</ref> A few months later, Kevin Carey retrieved the children from his estranged wife, and they returned to Wagga Wagga.<ref name=Happell/>

Carey played [[rugby league]] as a junior,<ref name=Happell>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/wayne-carey-hell-and-back-20100602-wzsh.html|work=[[The Age]]|location=Australia|title=Wayne Carey: Hell and back|date=3 June 2010|first=Charles|last=Happell}}</ref> and he began playing Australian rules football at the age of eight. At the age of thirteen, Carey returned to Adelaide,<ref name=CareyDT/> where he attended [[The Heights School (Australia)|The Heights School]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.crikey.com.au/2005/03/30/famous-alumni-on-lathams-hit-list/|work=[[Crikey]]|date=30 March 2005|title=Famous alumni on Latham's hit list|access-date=14 June 2013}}</ref> and played junior football for [[North Adelaide Football Club|North Adelaide]].<ref name="Carey"/>

==Playing career: 1987–2004==
===AFL===
====VFL debut: 1987–1989====
In 1987, Carey was recruited by [[North Melbourne Football Club|North Melbourne]] after their CEO, [[Greg Miller (Australian footballer)|Greg Miller]], met with the [[Sydney Swans]]' football department to discuss the transfer to North Melbourne of [[John Longmire]], a highly regarded junior key-position player. Once that deal was concluded, Miller then inquired about Carey who, like Longmire, was zoned to the Swans due to having lived in New South Wales. He made a token offer of $10,000 as a transfer fee, to which the Swans surprisingly agreed.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=nstore&docID=AGE041204116JD68RJ87|title=Tigers' history backs Miller|first=Rohan|last=Connolly|date=4 December 2004|work=The Age}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,,24288043-5001023,00.html|title=The Australian: Chasing down the Kangaroo|first=Tim|last=Morrissey|date=4 September 2008|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=Australia}}</ref> As a 16-year-old, Carey made the move to [[Melbourne, Victoria|Melbourne]] and played for the North Melbourne under-19s, where he starred in their 1988 premiership side under coach [[Denis Pagan]].<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/163226|pages=40–41|journal=[[Football Record]]|year=1988|issue=Grand Final|title=Under 18 Teams: Grand Final}}</ref> Carey was promoted to the senior list prior to the 1989 season and, after recovering from dislocating his left shoulder in a practice match early in the year, made his first appearance for the seniors as an 18-year-old in round 11 of [[1989 VFL season|1989]] against [[Fitzroy Football Club|Fitzroy]].

==== State of Origin ====
Carey had a relatively short but successful [[Interstate matches in Australian rules football|State of Origin]] career, and what he describes as a significant period in his career.<ref name="North Melbourne Football Club">{{Citation |last=North Melbourne Football Club |title=Wayne Carey feature – Part 1 (AFLPlayers.com.au) |date=2015-05-11 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_FAOI51CWQ |access-date=2016-03-03}}</ref> Carey first played at the game's highest level in 1990 for [[Australian rules football in New South Wales#Representative Team|New South Wales]], in a famous win over [[Victoria Australian rules football team|Victoria]], in the side's third-ever win against the state; Carey scored one goal. In 1992, playing for [[South Australia Australian rules football team|South Australia]] against Victoria, Carey played an outstanding game, dominating at centre half-forward and kicking two goals,<ref name="The YouTube Rub">{{Citation |last=The YouTube Rub |title=31/05/2014 The Origin of the Fraudulent Chief |date=2014-05-31 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY8DU67l-xk |access-date=2016-03-03}}</ref> including the match-winner from 55 metres out in the dying moments. Carey had four opponents in the game, dominating them all, including [[Chris Langford]], [[Danny Frawley]] and [[Garry Lyon]].<ref name="The YouTube Rub"/> Carey has described this game as the moment he knew he belonged at AFL level, as State of Origin at that time was considered to be the most challenging level of the game.<ref name="North Melbourne Football Club" /> Carey played for NSW/ACT the following year in the [[State of Origin Carnival]], scoring one goal. In the latter half of the 1990s, clubs began putting pressure on players to pull out of State of Origin games due to fear of injury, and players began to stop participating, with the final non-charity State of Origin game occurring in 1999.

'''1989–2001'''

The 1990s was a decade dominated by forwards, and Wayne Carey dominated his role at centre half-forward more than perhaps any other player in his position before or since.

"Carey had established a reputation as one of perhaps the dozen greatest players of all time," according to writer John Devaney of australianfootball.com.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Australian Football - Wayne Carey - Player Bio |url=https://australianfootball.com/players/player/wayne+carey/12646 |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=australianfootball.com}}</ref><blockquote>"It was clear right from the outset that the Kangaroos had managed to get their hands on someone special. Powerfully built even then, Carey could mark strongly even under the most extreme pressure, and his kicking either to position or at goal was impeccable. He was also surprisingly quick, both over the ground, and in terms of his decision making and use of the ball. Carey won the first of his four North Melbourne best and fairest awards in 1992, and the following year was appointed captain.

"North's emergence as one of the power clubs of the AFL during the mid- to late 1990s was attributable in no small measure to Carey's presence and contribution. It is arguable that no footballer in history has ever been capable of winning a game entirely off his own boot, but Carey at his peak perhaps came as close as anyone. On a purely objective measure, he was probably worth at least three players—which, coincidentally, is sometimes the number of opponents he had to contend with. Named an AFL All-Australian in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000, Carey was selected as captain of the side on four occasions. In both 1996 and 1999 he was a pivotal member of his club's two most recent premiership sides."

—John Devaney</blockquote>

====Extramarital affair and leaving North Melbourne for Adelaide: 2002–2004====
In March 2002, Carey had an extramarital affair with the wife of North Melbourne stalwart and Vice Captain [[Anthony Stevens]], Kelli. Making the situation even messier was the fact that Carey was himself married to his long-term partner, Sally McMahon. Carey and Stevens were attending a party at teammate [[Glenn Archer]]'s house. Carey is quoted as saying Kelli followed him into the toilets in front of a large crowd, including her husband.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/12/27/1040511178534.html?oneclick=true |title=Sydney Morning Herald: The Carey affair |work=Sydney Morning Herald |date=28 December 2002 |access-date=29 September 2011}}</ref> An argument ensued between Carey and Stevens,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.afana.com/netpaper/mar13-01730.html |title=Wayne Carey quits the Roos |publisher=AFANA |access-date=29 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120727235148/http://www.afana.com/netpaper/mar13-01730.html |archive-date=27 July 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and both players subsequently failed to attend football training. In the face of his team being united against him, as well as nationwide condemnation, Carey resigned in disgrace from North Melbourne.<ref name = "vegas" /> Carey's then manager [[Ricky Nixon]], infamously stated that his client was on "[[suicide watch]]" during the aftermath.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/realfooty/news/features/ready-for-the-handball/2006/04/29/1146198390810.html |work=[[The Age]]|title= The people the players turn to|date=30 April 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110131729/http://www.theage.com.au/realfooty/news/features/ready-for-the-handball/2006/04/29/1146198390810.html |archive-date=10 November 2007}}</ref> To avoid media attention, Carey fled to [[Las Vegas]].<ref name = "vegas" /> Stevens had been groomsman to Carey at his wedding to Sally.

North Melbourne Legend [[Brent Harvey]] said it set the club back "four or five years".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wayne Carey responds to fresh claims about Anthony Stevens |url=https://au.sports.yahoo.com/afl-2022-wayne-carey-responds-claims-about-anthony-stevens-205920368.html |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=au.sports.yahoo.com |date=8 August 2022 |language=en-AU}}</ref> The aftermath of the affair resulted in Carey missing the [[2002 AFL season]] and transferring to the [[Adelaide Football Club|Adelaide Crows]] for the [[2003 AFL season]]; he would play two seasons with the Crows, including kicking 56 goals, retiring at the end of the [[2004 AFL season]]. The first game played between North Melbourne and Adelaide in 2003 made for gripping viewing, with Archer and Stevens both taunting and making aggressive moves towards Carey. Although tension was at fever pitch, all players involved managed to restrain themselves from doing anything overly rash. Adelaide went on to win convincingly by 54 points.<ref>{{Citation |title=Flashback: 2003 - North Melbourne v Adelaide | date=24 May 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lUgmZ7NRtI |language=en |access-date=2022-08-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=AFL Tables - Kangaroos v Adelaide - Fri, 2-May-2003 7:40 PM - Match Stats |url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/2003/011220030502.html |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=afltables.com}}</ref> In a twist of fate, Stevens took over Carey's role of captain in 2002.

In February 2022, 20 years after the initial fallout from the affair, Carey labelled his affair with Stevens "the biggest regret of my life as an adult" while participating on season three of the reality TV show ''[[SAS Australia: Who Dares Wins|SAS Australia]]''.<ref name="news.com.au">{{Cite web |title=Woman at centre of Carey's infamous AFL affair builds new life |url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/sports-life/woman-at-centre-of-infamous-afl-cheating-affair-unrecognisable/news-story/c92378b4e9af6ca688a078c7d66a695e}}</ref> Despite withdrawing from the show, Carey was reportedly paid A$250,000 for the appearance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SAS Australia pay scandal erupts! |url=https://www.newidea.com.au/sas-australia-pay-scandal |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=New Idea |date=7 March 2022 |language=en-us}}</ref>

In August 2022, Carey and Stevens met again at a function to celebrate the 26th anniversary of their [[1996 AFL Grand Final|1996 premiership]] (which was initially supposed to be a 25th anniversary but was delayed by a year due to [[COVID-19]]); Carey engaged Stevens in a "verbal stoush" at the function, although the situation was reportedly de-escalated. The ''[[Herald Sun]]'' reported there was no potential of violence and that the pair "moved on and shared a beer together" afterwards.<ref name="news.com.au"/>

Despite both players' marriages being rocked by the public scandal, it took each marriage several years to dissolve. Carey's marriage ended in 2006, four years after the incident,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-02-23 |title=Wayne Carey confirms split with wife |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/wayne-carey-confirms-split-with-wife-20060224-gdn14y.html |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref> while Kelli and Anthony Stevens divorced in 2008, six years after the affair.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stevens' marriage over years after Carey affair |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/stevens-split-up/news-story/a0758bd001cc6836ff566aae67f3feb3}}</ref>

==Australian Football Hall of Fame==
Carey was inducted into the [[Australian Football Hall of Fame|AFL Hall of Fame]] in 2010. Although he was eligible for induction in 2008, his off-field troubles with drugs and violence delayed his induction.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Carey joins Hall of Fame|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-06-03/carey-joins-hall-of-fame-legends/852954|date=3 June 2010|access-date=3 June 2010|work=abc.net.au}}</ref>

==Alleged creative salary cap==
Due to restrictions in the salary cap, North Melbourne was capped at $300,000 per year for Carey for the [[2000 AFL season]]. However, the North Melbourne staff knew that Carey was far more valuable to the team than this, so Carey's manager [[Ricky Nixon]] came up with a creative salary cap move to secure Carey an additional $400,000 in salary.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-04-06 |title=Carey unaware of deal details |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/carey-unaware-of-deal-details-20200406-p54hnw.html |access-date=2020-10-31 |website=The Age |language=en}}</ref>

Nixon said, "So I requested Wayne's intellectual property, and it was owned by Wayne Carey Pty Ltd, and he licensed it to me for $2 so I could sell it to North Melbourne for marketing rights of $700,000," Nixon said on the ''Real Footy'' podcast.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-04-06 |title=Carey unaware of deal details |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/carey-unaware-of-deal-details-20200406-p54hnw.html |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=The Age |language=en}}</ref>  "He was getting paid $300,000 from North Melbourne and $700,000 went to me, and I gave Wayne $400,000. People said it was cheating, but it was absolutely within the rules."

According to Nixon, when the AFL complained about this manoeuvre, he simply told them: "I run the competition, not you."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2020-04-04 |title=AFL news: Ricky Nixon on fall from grace, drug and alcohol addiction |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/former-top-afl-player-agent-ricky-nixon-opens-up-on-his-stunning-fall-from-grace/news-story/dc99c8d2e29639b3268aa0a455209b7b |access-date=2020-10-31 |website=Fox Sports |language=en-AU}}</ref>

==Legacy==
Carey has been named by many media commentators as the greatest footballer to play the game.<ref name="Mike Sheahan's top 50 players" /><ref name="Legend no.3: The King">{{cite news|last=Blake|first=Martin|url=http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/legend-no3-the-king/2008/07/02/1214950846978.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201175322/http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/legend-no3-the-king/2008/07/02/1214950846978.html |archive-date=1 December 2008|title=Legend no.3: The King|newspaper=The Age|access-date=2 July 2011|date=3 July 2008}}</ref><ref name="21 gun">{{cite news|last= Sheahan|first=Mike|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/carey-the-best-in-21-gun-salute/story-fn8ymmuy-1226085123110|title=Carey the best in 21-gun salute|newspaper=Herald Sun|access-date=2 July 2011|date=1 July 2011}}</ref> In 1999,{{Citation needed|date=August 2022|reason=While it's not up for question that Matthews said this, I can only see a secondary source from 2013; a primary source from 1999 would be helpful.}} [[Leigh Matthews]], who was voted the greatest player of the 20th century, honoured Carey by saying that he was the best player he had ever seen.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-07-28 |title=Lethal Combo: Matthews' best team |url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/afl-hall-of-fame-legend-leigh-matthews-selects-his-best-team-ng-b86a963aa4cc3e58b94911c47fe25caf |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=PerthNow |language=en}}</ref> In 2008, Carey was named as Australian Football's greatest-ever player as part of a list of the top 50 players of all time, published in the book ''The Australian Game of Football'',<ref name="Mike Sheahan's top 50 players" /> and he placed third in a similar list put together by a panel of football legends in ''[[The Age]]'' newspaper the same year.<ref name="Legend no.3: The King" /> In 2011, the ''[[Herald Sun]]'' polled 21 past and present AFL greats, including Carey, to find the players' opinion as to the greatest player of the AFL era. Carey topped the list, polling 85 of a possible 100 votes, 26 votes ahead of second-placed [[Gary Ablett Sr.]]<ref name="21 gun" />

The love triangle involving Carey, Anthony Stevens, and Stevens's then-wife Kelli has inspired creative works across Australian television and music, including the song "Sure Got Me" on [[Paul Kelly (Australian musician)|Paul Kelly]]'s 2004 double album ''[[Ways & Means (album)|Ways & Means]]''.<ref name="songs">[ABC Radio National – The Sports Factor – "Leaps and Bounds" – 28 May 2004]. Retrieved 1 April 2013.</ref> [[Hunters & Collectors]] frontman [[Mark Seymour]] also wrote a song inspired by the affair, but he declined to release it after learning of Kelli's take on the events.<ref name="songs"/> [[TISM#Members|Jock Cheese]], bassist of the satirical Melbourne band [[TISM]], released a tribute to Carey titled "Why Don't You Get A Bigger Set of Tits?" on his 2002 solo album ''[[Platter (album)|Platter]]''.<ref>{{Citation |title=Jock Cheese - Platter |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/2728790-Jock-Cheese-Platter |language=en |access-date=2022-08-20}}</ref> In a performance inspired by the Carey-Stevens scandal, [[Warwick Capper]] played an AFL footballer named "Dwayne Carey" in season 3 of the [[SBS (Australian TV channel)|SBS]] comedy series ''[[Pizza (TV series)|Pizza]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Glenn |date=9 April 2003 |title=Extra cheese |url= |work=Herald Sun |location= |publisher= |access-date=}}</ref>

==Statistics==
As of 2023, Carey's career total of 727 goals ranks him [[VFL/AFL goalkicking records|equal 20th in VFL/AFL history]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Most Career Goals |url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/alltime/careergoals.html |access-date=27 June 2023 |website=AFL Tables |df=dmy-all}}</ref> and his 671 goals for North Melbourne is the club record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFL Tables - Most Career Goals |url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/alltime/careergoals.html#teams |access-date=2022-08-16 |website=afltables.com}}</ref><ref>[http://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/W/Wayne_Carey.html Wayne Carey's player profile at AFL Tables]</ref>
{{AFL player statistics legend}}
{{AFL player statistics start}}
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1989 VFL season|1989]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL NM}}
| 40 || 4 || 0 || 2 || 26 || 8 || 34 || 14 || 4  || 0.0 || 0.5 || 6.5 || 2.0 || 8.5 || 3.5 || 1.0 
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1990 AFL season|1990]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL NM}}
| 18 || 21 || 38 || 23 || 196 || 94 || 290 || 98 || 18 || 1.8 || 1.1 || 9.3 || 4.5 || 13.8 || 4.7 || 0.9 
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1991 AFL season|1991]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL NM}}
| 18 || 14 || 28 || 21 || 132 || 56 || 188 || 84 || 10 || 2.0 || 1.5 || 9.4 || 4.0 || 13.4 || 6.0 || 0.7
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1992 AFL season|1992]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL NM}}
| 18 || 21 || 46 || 32 || 278 || 107 || 385 || 157 || 26 || 2.2 || 1.5 || 13.2 || 5.1 || 18.3 || 7.5 || 1.2
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1993 AFL season|1993]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL NM}}
| 18 || 19 || 64 || 44 || 216 || 123 || 339 || 150 || 21 || 3.4 || 2.3 || 11.4 || 6.5 || 17.8 || 7.9 || 1.1
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1994 AFL season|1994]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL NM}}
| 18 || 19 || 63 || 42 || 237 || 116 || 353 || 164 || 13 || 3.3 || 2.2 || 12.5 || 6.1 || 18.6 || 8.6 || 0.7
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1995 AFL season|1995]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL NM}}
| 18 || 25 || 65 || 46  || 309 || 143|| 452 || 187 || 28 || 2.6 || 1.8 || 12.4 || 5.7 || 18.1 || 7.5 || 1.1
|-
|style="text-align:center;background:#afe6ba;"|[[1996 AFL season|1996]]†
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL NM}}
| 18 || 25 || 82 || 55 || 332 || 154 || 486 || 200 || 31 || 3.3 || 2.2 || 13.3 || 6.2 || 19.4 || 8.0 || 1.2
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1997 AFL season|1997]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL NM}}
| 18 || 14 || 25 || 15 || 160 || 66 || 226 || 74 || 14 || 1.8 || 1.1 || 11.4 || 4.7 || 16.1 || 5.3 || 1.0
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1998 AFL season|1998]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL NM}}
| 18 || 25 || 80 || 49 || 368 || 121 || 489 || 193 || 40 || 3.2 || 2.0 || 14.7 || 4.8 || 19.6 || 7.7 || 1.6
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! style="text-align:center;background:#afe6ba; | [[1999 AFL season|1999]]†
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Kan}}
| 18 || 20 || 76 || 39 || 253 || 100 || 353 || 145 || 33 || 3.8 || 2.0 || 12.7 || 5.0 || 17.7 || 7.3 || 1.7
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2000 AFL season|2000]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Kan}}
| 18 || 23 || 69 || 37 || 336 || 86 || 422 || 176 || 35 || 3.0 || 1.6 || 14.6 || 3.7 || 18.3 || 7.7 || 1.5
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2001 AFL season|2001]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Kan}}
| 18 || 14 || 35 || 11 || 137 || 37 || 174 || 69 || 13 || 2.5 || 0.8 || 9.8 || 2.6 || 12.4 || 4.9 || 0.9
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2003 AFL season|2003]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ade}}
| 2 || 16 || 29 || 19 || 136 || 35 || 171 || 62 || 21 || 1.8 || 1.2 || 8.5 || 2.2 || 10.7 || 3.9 || 1.3
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2004 AFL season|2004]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ade}}
| 2 || 12 || 27 || 22 || 101 || 26 || 127 || 57 || 12 || 2.3 || 1.8 || 8.4 || 2.2 || 10.6 || 4.8 || 1.0
|- class="sortbottom"
! colspan=3| Career
! 272
! 727
! 457
! 3217
! 1272
! 4489
! 1830
! 319
! 2.7
! 1.7 
! 11.8
! 4.7
! 16.5
! 6.7
! 1.2
|}

==Post-playing career==
[[File:GHFC Wayne Carey 110719 gnangarra-100.jpg|thumb|Wayne Carey speaking at an event in July 2019]]
In early 2005, Carey agreed to assist former coach and mentor Denis Pagan at the [[Carlton Football Club]], acting voluntarily as a part-time skills coach. In 2006 he was an assistant coach at [[Collingwood Football Club]]. Carey also worked as a commentator and host of shows on the [[Fox Footy|Fox Footy Channel]] throughout the 2006 season. In 2007 he participated in the Nine Network football analysis program ''Footy Classified'', as well as special comments for radio station [[3AW]]'s football coverage. Subsequent to his dual arrests for domestic violence and assault he was sacked from both positions.<ref name = "pay" />

In 2009, Carey was approached in a confidential meeting with influential North Melbourne board member [[Ron Joseph]] to return to the club as coach in a succession plan which also involved [[Malcolm Blight]]. Carey confirmed this when queried by noted football journalist [[Damian Barrett]] in May 2021.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=sen.com.au|title=NORTH'S 2009 BID TO LAND BLIGHT-CAREY COACHING SUCCESSION PLAN|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2021/05/16/norths-2009-bid-to-land-blight-carey-coaching-succession-plan/|date=16 May 2021}}</ref>

== Controversies ==
Carey has had a string of scandals besides the aforementioned extramarital affair with Anthony Stevens' wife.

In 1997, Carey pleaded guilty to indecent assault after grabbing a passing woman's breast on a Melbourne city street after 12 hours of drinking with teammates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2002/s504838.htm|title=Carey crisis sends Melbourne into a spin|work=[[7.30 Report]]|format=transcript|publisher=ABC|location=Australia|date=14 March 2002|access-date=29 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111064539/http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2002/s504838.htm|archive-date=11 November 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He allegedly told her, "Why don't you get a bigger pair of tits".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23131393-5001021,00.html|title=Wayne Carey shame file|date=30 January 2008|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=Australia}}</ref> Carey later settled out of court when the woman filed a civil suit against him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afana.com/netpaper/mar13-01730.html|title=Wayne Carey quits the Roos|publisher=Afana.com|access-date=29 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120727235148/http://www.afana.com/netpaper/mar13-01730.html|archive-date=27 July 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In 2000, Carey provided character evidence for [[Jason Moran (criminal)|Jason Moran]], an infamous gangster who was subsequently murdered in [[Melbourne gangland killings|Melbourne's gang war]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/news/wayne-carey-timeline-of-trouble/story-fn7djq9o-1226260275080|title=Wayne Carey: Timeline of trouble|publisher=News Limited|date=2 February 2012|access-date=4 May 2012|archive-date=2 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202105708/http://www.news.com.au/news/wayne-carey-timeline-of-trouble/story-fn7djq9o-1226260275080|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2004, while holidaying with his then wife, Carey was subject to arrest for a [[misdemeanour]] [[Battery (crime)|battery]] report while holidaying in Las Vegas.<ref name="vegas"/> He was placed in custody for one night then released. The local [[District Attorney]] elected not to pursue the case.<ref name="vegas">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/wayne-carey-was-locked-up/story-e6frewt0-1111115460838|title=Wayne Carey was 'locked up' in the US|author1=Healey, Kelvin|author2=Balogh, Stefanie|work=The Sunday Telegraph|location=Australia|date=3 February 2008|access-date=5 May 2012}}</ref>

Carey again became the subject of public comment in February 2006 when he announced he was leaving his pregnant wife Sally for model Kate Neilson.<ref name="Duck">{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/gillards-sorrow-for-carey/story-e6frf7kx-1111115906523|title=Wayne Carey shell-shocked, says Andrew Denton|author1=Duck, Siobhan|author2=Wilkinson, Geoff|work=Herald Sun|date=28 March 2008}}</ref> His daughter Ella was born six weeks later. In December 2006, Neilson allegedly reported Carey to Australian police for domestic violence, alleging he had punched her in the face.<ref>{{cite news|author=Dowsley, Anthony|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20979807-661,00.html|title=Wayne Carey assault probe|work=Herald Sun|date=28 December 2006|access-date=29 September 2011}}</ref> Neilson and Carey denied this report. Subsequently, US security guard Kyle Banks told the [[Nine Network]]'s ''[[A Current Affair (Australian TV series)|A Current Affair]]'' he saw Carey attacking Neilson while working at the exclusive [[W Hotel]] in New York City in October 2006. Banks said he saw Carey break a bottle of French champagne over his own head.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=1065747|title=Shocking details over Carey bashing|work=A Current Affair|date=25 February 2008|access-date=29 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323100656/http://www.aca.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=1065747|archive-date=23 March 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

On 27 January 2008, Carey was arrested after reports of a disturbance at his Port Melbourne apartment. Police had to subdue Carey with capsicum spray and he was seen handcuffed after allegedly assaulting the officers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.smh.com.au/national/police-consider-charges-against-carey-20080128-1oi6.html|title=Police consider charges against Carey|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=28 January 2008|access-date=14 June 2013|first1=Kellee|last1=Nolan|first2=Jamie|last2=Duncan}}</ref>

Two days later, the Nine Network announced it would not renew Carey's television contract after it was revealed that Carey had been arrested and charged with assaulting a police officer and Neilson in Miami, Florida, on 27 October 2007, after he allegedly [[Glassing|glassed]] Neilsen in the face and neck with a wine glass.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Karen|last1=Collier|first2=David|last2=Hastie |url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23129651-661,00.html|work=Herald Sun|title=AFL legend Wayne Carey to break silence after Miami bash charge|date=30 January 2008|access-date=29 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/afl/wayne-carey-sacked-by-nine/2008/01/30/1201369173327.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|title=Wayne Carey sacked by Nine|date=30 January 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=My drink and drugs shame|page=9|work=[[New Idea]]|date=22 March 2008}}</ref> Police Lieutenant Bill Schwartz, however, reported:<ref name = "thug" />
<blockquote>When officers went and spoke to him, he immediately was belligerent, starting striking out at the officers, in fact, kicked one of the female officers in the face with his foot, elbowed another one in the side of the face. They had to wrestle him down and handcuff him. When he was in the police car, he used his head as a battering ram and tried to smash a hole between the front compartment of the police car and the prisoner compartment.</blockquote>

To stop Carey harming himself and damaging the car, the officers put him into a leather hobble restraint around his hands and legs.<ref name="thug">{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23132117-661,00.html|first=Alison|last=Ribbon|agency=AAP|work=Herald Sun|title=Wayne Carey a drunken thug with anger issue – Miami police|date=30 January 2008|access-date=29 September 2011}}</ref> Carey faced up to fifteen years in jail and {{USD}}30,000 fines. Additionally, Carey was fired from commentary jobs at 3AW and the Nine Network following the coverage of the two arrests.<ref name="pay">{{cite news|last=Anderson|first=Lainie|url=http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23149230-5012955,00.html|title=Make Wayne Carey pay – or count the cost|work=The Advertiser|date=2 February 2008 |access-date=29 September 2011}}</ref> Ultimately Carey pleaded guilty to assaulting and resisting Miami police. In exchange for his guilty pleas, prosecutors agreed that Carey should only serve 50 hours of community service, attend alcohol- and anger-management classes, serve two years probation, and pay US$500 to a Miami police charity.<ref>{{cite news|author=Hellard, Peta|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24499671-23211,00.html|work=Courier Mail|title=Wayne pleads Guilty|publisher=Foxsports.com.au|access-date=29 September 2011}}</ref> As a consequence of his criminal record in the United States, Carey was refused an entry visa in October 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,26160274-421,00.html|title=Wayne Carey told to go home at LA airport|last=Houlihan|first=Liam|date=4 October 2009|work=Sunday Herald Sun|access-date=4 October 2009|archive-date=5 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005180159/http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,26160274-421,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In March 2008, Carey publicly revealed he was, for a long period, an abuser of alcohol and [[cocaine]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Byrne|first=Fiona|url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23381177-2,00.html|title=Wayne Carey confesses he has cocaine and booze problem|publisher=News.com.au|date=16 March 2008|access-date=29 September 2011|archive-date=19 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319041703/http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23381177-2,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was interviewed by [[Andrew Denton]] on ''[[Enough Rope]]'', where he talked candidly about his life and recent controversies.<ref name=Denton/><ref name="Duck"/> 1.5&nbsp;million viewers tuned into the highly publicised interview.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/tv-radio/m-tune-in-for-carey-confessions/story-e6freeul-1111115944335|title=1.5m tune in for Wayne Carey confessions|work=The Advertiser|date=31 March 2008|access-date=14 June 2013}}</ref>

Carey was attempting to visit [[HM Prison Barwon|Barwon Prison]] in February 2012 to speak to indigenous inmates as part of a mentoring program; however, he was found to have traces of cocaine on his clothing following a routine drug scan. Carey was informed that he could enter the prison if he submitted to a strip search. He declined and left the correctional facility.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wayne Carey 'shatttered' by relevation of jail drug bust|work=Herald Sun|date=2 February 2012|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/wayne-careys-jail-drug-bust/story-fn7x8me2-1226260011340 |author=Dowsley, Anthony|access-date=18 May 2012 }}</ref>

On 1 September 2022, according to numerous sources, including ''The Herald Sun'' and ''The Age'', Carey was gambling when a [[Ziploc|Ziploc bag]] of white powder fell onto a gaming table. Carey denied the substance was illegal, claiming it was a "crushed-up anti-inflammatory".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schelle |first=Caroline |date=2022-09-05 |title=Wayne Carey says powder he dropped at Perth casino was 'not illegal' |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/wayne-carey-says-powder-he-dropped-at-perth-casino-was-not-illegal-20220905-p5bfmq.html |access-date=2022-09-05 |website=The Age |language=en}}</ref><ref name="foxsports.com.au">{{Cite web |date=2022-09-05 |title=AFL legend Wayne Carey stands down but says white powder 'not illegal' after casino incident |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-news-2022-wayne-carey-banned-from-crown-casinos-over-white-powder-incident-what-happened-video-drugs/news-story/bc5b4c1f03872d3da541049198c73499 |access-date=2022-09-05 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}</ref> Carey was issued with a "withdrawal of license" notice, which means he cannot attend Crown properties for two years. It saw him ejected from the Crown hotel, where he was staying for the [[Fremantle Football Club|Fremantle]]–[[Western Bulldogs|Bulldogs]] elimination final. This also means that he was unable to attend the [[2022 Brownlow Medal]] count that was held at [[Crown Melbourne|Crown Palladium]] in Melbourne.<ref name="foxsports.com.au"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book|author1=Carey, Wayne|author2=Happell, Charles|title=The Truth Hurts|location=Sydney|publisher=Pan Macmillan Australia|year=2009|isbn=978-1-4050-3966-6}}

==External links==
* {{AFL Tables|ref=W/Wayne_Carey.html}}

{{1996 North Melbourne premiership players}}
{{1999 Kangaroos premiership players}}
{{North Melbourne Football Club captains}}
{{North Melbourne Team of The Century}}
{{Syd Barker Medal}}
{{VFL/AFL club best and fairest winners in premiership years}}
{{North Melbourne leading goalkickers}}
{{AFL MVPs}}
{{Australian Football Media Association Player of the Year}}
{{AFLPA best captain}}
{{Michael Tuck Medal}}
{{navboxes
| title = Wayne Carey in All-Australian teams
| titlestyle = background:green; color:gold;
| list1 =
{{All-Australian captains}}
{{1993 All-Australian team}}
{{1994 All-Australian team}}
{{1995 All-Australian team}}
{{1996 All-Australian team}}
{{1998 All-Australian team}}
{{1999 All-Australian team}}
{{2000 All-Australian team}}
}}
{{Australia international rules football team captains}}
{{1998 Australian international rules team}}
{{1990 New South Wales Australian rules football State of Origin players}}
{{1992 South Australia State of Origin players}}
{{1993 New South Wales-Australian Capital Territory Australian rules football State of Origin players}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Carey, Wayne}}
[[Category:1971 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:North Melbourne Football Club players]]
[[Category:North Melbourne Football Club premiership players]]
[[Category:Syd Barker Medal winners]]
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[[Category:All-Australians (AFL)]]
[[Category:Australian Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Leigh Matthews Trophy winners]]
[[Category:New South Wales Australian rules football State of Origin players]]
[[Category:South Australian State of Origin players]]
[[Category:North Adelaide Football Club players]]
[[Category:Australian memoirists]]
[[Category:Australian rules football commentators]]
[[Category:Australia international rules football team players]]
[[Category:People convicted of assault]]
[[Category:Australian people convicted of assault]]
[[Category:Australian sportspeople convicted of crimes]]
[[Category:VFL/AFL premiership players]]
[[Category:Australian rules footballers from South Australia]]
[[Category:Australian rules footballers from Wagga Wagga]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Wagga Wagga]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian sportsmen]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen]]