Wayne Carey’s long absence from official North Melbourne functions is finally coming to an end.
The club legend is set to appear at the Kangaroos’ centenary match later this season, reuniting with Anthony Stevens and Glenn Archer for the first time since his dramatic exit almost 25 years ago.
Carey will be part of the celebrations during the club’s Round 17 clash against the Western Bulldogs, a milestone moment for both the club and its most divisive figure.
MORE: Collingwood to make play for gun AFL forward
The announcement marks a significant turnaround after Carey was notably snubbed from the club’s centenary promotional video earlier this year.
Carey’s reintegration follows years of controversy
The club’s decision to omit Carey from a guernsey tribute sparked backlash from former teammates and AFL greats alike.
“Can North Melbourne answer why you’d leave out Wayne Carey for a football-related video for such an occasion?” Corey McKernan wrote on X. “Explain how it happens.”
Mick McGuane echoed that sentiment: “Love the concept and innovation North Melbourne, but if it’s a ‘true’ celebration, you cannot overlook your greatest ever player in the vision to promote it.”
MORE: Dangerfield added to lengthy Geelong casualty ward
Carey’s comeback follows a tumultuous few years, including a high-profile dust-up with Stevens during the 1996 premiership reunion, which led to tensions resurfacing publicly.
But as Channel 7’s Caroline Wilson revealed on The Agenda Setters, the club has made efforts to bring everyone back into the fold. “Clearly, you can’t celebrate your 100th anniversary without Wayne Carey being there,” she said.
While his on-field legacy remains untouchable, two premierships and 244 games for the Kangaroos, Carey’s post-retirement life has been riddled with controversy, from legal issues to being denied Legend status by the NSW AFL Hall of Fame.
Still, as Luke Hodge put it: “All clubs have disagreements, but the club’s bigger than anyone… the celebration is about the players and it’s about the supporters.”