Sydney Swans great Tony Lockett and Paul Kelly among nine legends inducted into Australian Football NSW Hall of Fame – after Wayne Carey was sensationally snubbed ahead of function

Sydney Swans great Tony Lockett and Paul Kelly were among nine identities inducted into the inaugural NSW Australian Rules Football Hall of Fame at a gala dinner at the SCG on Friday night.

Wayne Carey was set to become the group’s tenth legend – before AFL CEO Andrew Dillon stepped in at the eleventh hour to sensationally block his elevation.

In March, 100 people ranging from players and coaches to administrators, referees and media figures were officially inducted into the Hall of Fame.

At Friday’s black-tie event, nine members of that group were awarded Legend status due to their “outstanding service and overall contribution to the game.”

Lockett and Kelly – who both played in the 1996 AFL Grand Final – which the Swans lost to Carey’s North Melbourne – were recognized alongside former Sydney Swans president Richard Colless, Terry Daniher, Jack Dean, Haydn Bunton, Ralph Robertson, Harry J Hedger MBE and Jim Phelan.

Sydney Swans great Tony Lockett (pictured left) and Paul Kelly (right) were among nine identities inducted into the inaugural NSW Australian Rules Football Hall of Fame on Friday night.

Lockett had two spells with the Swans, the highlight being reaching the 1996 Grand Final.

Swans great Jarrad McVeigh has made it a family affair with his wife and two daughters

Fellow AFL great Mark McVeigh was also in attendance with his wife and children.

Crows star Tex Walker (right) – who agreed a NSW scholarship deal with Adelaide at the age of 16 – also graced the red carpet

Many members of the Swans’ 2005 and 2012 premiership teams were seen in the room, including coach John Longmire and club greats Brett Kirk and Jarrad McVeigh.

“It’s important that people understand that NSW has been playing Australian rules football for over 140 years,” AFL NSW/ACT Director Tiffany Robertson said.

“There have been countless talented players and committed volunteers who have built a strong culture and rich history for the code across the state.

“The Hall of Fame is a tribute to all those people who gave so much.

“Congratulations to everyone who was recognized.”

In the hours leading up to the NSW Hall of Fame ceremony, the AFL stunned the football world by preventing controversial great Wayne Carey from receiving his decorated individual honour.

In a last-minute call, league boss Andrew Dillon called North Melbourne’s two-time premiership winner to inform him of the decision, just hours before Carey was elevated to the status of legend during the reception at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Carey had been pictured arriving in town with partner Jessica Paulke earlier in the day.

The 52-year-old was told the league felt it was inappropriate for him to receive the honor as the AFL takes a very public stance on violence against women, with a minute’s silence to be held observed during the ceremonies organized before the eight matches.

Carey (pictured arriving in Sydney on Friday with partner Jessica Paulke) only found out about the AFL’s surprise move hours before he was due to attend the Hall of Fame ceremony at the SCG.

AFL boss Andrew Dillon called Carey (pictured) personally to tell him the news.

Carey was accused of shocking behavior towards women during and after his playing career.

However, this did not stop him from being inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2010.

“The AFL recognizes the decision of a committee made up of representatives from the NSW football industry to recognize Wayne Carey’s contribution on the football field as one of the first 100 inductees into the NSW Hall of Fame -South Wales,” Dillon said in a statement.

“His contribution on the field is also why he was recognized in the AFL Hall of Fame in 2010. On Friday afternoon, the AFL Executive was alerted to the decision of the Hall Committee of NSW fame to elevate Carey to legendary status.

“We didn’t think it was the right decision. I called Wayne Carey to let him know and he agreed that becoming a legend would take away from the event’s focus on the national response to the problem of gender-based violence against women.

Dillon said Carey agreed with this decision once the motivation behind it was explained to her.

The decision to block Carey (pictured during his time in North Melbourne in 2000) was due to accusations regarding his shocking behavior with women.

The timing of the Hall of Fame honor was horrible for the AFL, which requires players in every Round 8 game to make public gestures as the league takes a stance on violence against women ( photo, Crows and Power players during a minute’s silence Thursday night)

In 1996, Carey admitted committing an indecent assault on a woman, which was settled out of court after he allegedly grabbed her breast on a Melbourne street.

Despite this admission, Carey would captain North Melbourne to victory over Sydney in the AFL Grand Final that same year and would go on to play 271 career matches.

In 2002, Carey had an infamous affair with the wife of his then best friend and North Melbourne vice-captain Anthony Stevens.

In 2007, the former Adelaide and North Melbourne star was arrested in the United States for allegedly smashing a wine glass in the face of his former fiancée Kate Neilson.

Neilson declined to press charges, but later said she was “bleeding profusely from the mouth.”

Carey also pleaded guilty to two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer when he fought with police after the incident with Neilson.

Then, in 2008, police were forced to use capsicum spray to subdue Carey after he assaulted officers in Port Melbourne.

In 2007, Carey was accused of glassing his then-partner Kate Neilson (pictured together) at a restaurant in the United States. She refused to file a complaint

Like the AFL Hall of Fame, the NSW equivalent can block players for reasons of “integrity, sportsmanship and character”.

Earlier this week, Dillon said: “When it comes to violence against women, the only acceptable number is zero. »

But he also trumpeted for the NSW Hall of Fame – and for Carey’s inclusion.

“Australian rules football in New South Wales has a deeper history than many people realize,” he said.

“Congratulations to the Hall of Fame inductees, each has played a significant role in improving football in New South Wales.

Dillon’s decision to block the honor should come under scrutiny, as Carey’s alleged past scandals did not prevent him from being elevated to the AFL Hall of Fame in 2010.

“I look forward to learning more about these many greats and hearing their stories over the months and years to come, as football culture continues to permeate across New South Wales. “

The decision to block Carey’s personal honor comes after soccer fans criticized the league’s stance on violence against women during this weekend’s games.

Players, coaches and referees gather in the center of the field to form a circle and pay silent tribute to the women who lost their lives, before an MC reads a statement to the crowd.

However, many footy fans have criticized the move, insisting the AFL is being hypocritical as it seeks to welcome back a player like Tarryn Thomas, who pleaded guilty to threatening to distribute intimate videos from a former partner and faced shaming allegations. behavior with women.

“Nothing more than hypocritical grandstanding,” one fan wrote on X.