Wayne Carey, or to many North Melbourne fans ‘The King’, is arguably one of the greatest Aussie Rules footballers to play the game. Despite highly-publicized off-the-field controversies, Carey has now firmly established himself as an expert-commentator on channel 7’s television coverage, demonstrating the value of his footy brain.
Despite ending his career in Adelaide due to falling out of favour with his North Melbourne teammates, it was with the Kangaroos that Carey enjoyed so much personal and collective success. Booting 671 goals from 244 games with the Roos, Carey was 7 times an All-Australian, and won the North Melbourne Best and Fairest award four times. The captain of the Kangaroos from 1993-2001, Carey was instrumental in leading his team to eight consecutive finals appearances from 1993 to 2000. Despite often being touted as a potential Brownlow medal winner, Carey never picked up the coveted prize.
However, the definite highlight of Carey’s career was spearheading his team in the premiership triumphs of 1996 and 1999. Despite making preliminary finals since, North Melbourne haven’t looked like a genuine and consistent premiership contender since Carey departed the Kangas.
Unfortunately for Carey, what he’ll mainly be remembered for by most of the Australian community is not his footy prowess, but his numerous transgressions away from the football pitch. However, lovers of footy in Australia are generally a forgiving bunch, with several footy stars across many codes following a similar success, scandal then redemption narrative.
Now a key expert-voice inside channel 7’s commentary box, Carey regularly offers discerning and astute opinions, particularly about play in the forward-line. One of the best markers and set shots for goal, Carey’s thoughts on the league’s big forwards and their kicking and marking techniques are always worth listening to. Away from the commentary box, he would make a great forwards coach due to his technical understanding of the game.
