The captain makes an inglorious exit after a personal dispute with teammate Anthony Stevens

Hello fans:

A major football bombshell on Wednesday night with North Melbourne captain Wayne Carey announcing his resignation from the club, due to a personal dispute with his teammate, vice-captain Anthony Stevens.
An emotional Carey issued a short statement to the media in front of the office of his manager Ricky Nixon in South Melbourne shortly after 7.30pm (AEST), apologizing to his wife Sally, Roos supporters, his former teammates and his former club for his actions.
Choking tears, he said he has quit for personal reasons which he is not willing to disclose and apologised to his teammates for his decision. “For the well being of all concerned I have taken the decision to cease my playing career with the Kangaroos,” he said. “I regret the circumstances of my actions which has led to the decision and the pain which it has caused to my wife and my family.
“I believe this is the only proper and responsible course of action.”
Roos president Alan Aylett said the club sadly accepts Carey’s decision and added the club would not be commenting on the personal issues relating to individuals. He added the club would remain united and strong and get on with its business. “Wayne has had an outstanding career with the club, and his decision will affect us all. But I want everyone to know our club, the North Melbourne Football Club, the Kangaroos, will remain united and strong and get on with our business,” Aylett said. “We will continue to deliver to our loyal members and supporters like we’ve been doing for a long time now. The high standards expected of us both on and off the field.”
Channel Seven first broke the story this afternoon (AEST) in its 3pm newsbreak and was carried on radio and another TV channels. According to reports by channels Seven and Ten, the fiery argument between Carey and Stevens occurred last Sunday night at a party at the home of another teammate Glenn Archer. The ABC added tension between Carey and Stevens had been building for sometime and reached the boiling point at the party.
Roos officials reportedly became suspicious when Stevens and Archer failed to attend Monday’s training session. The club immediately contacted the duo and was told of the dispute.
The Roos hastily arranged emergency meetings with Carey, Stevens and Archer yesterday (Tuesday) or today, where two versions of the story developed: one version had that the club had been pushed into an ultimatum between retaining Carey or Stevens, the other had that club officials told both Stevens or Carey that one of them would have to go. Archer was believed to have told the club he would also go if Carey stayed and vice versa. The club managed to persuade both Stevens and Archer to stay.
At about 5pm (AEST), senior club officials, including Roos chairman Allen Aylett, chief executive Michael Easy and football operations manager Geoff Walsh, held crisis talks with Carey’s manager Ricky Nixon in Nixon’s office in South Melbourne. Former Roos CEO Greg Miller was also involved. The meeting broke up after 45 minutes and no comment was made publicly.
All Roos players were then called to another emergency meeting at Arden Street at 6pm (AEST) where they were told of the developing situations. Carey was absent. 90 minutes later his career at the Roos was officially over.
Carey, 30, has played 244 matches for North Melbourne since making his senior debut in 1989. He was born in Wagga Wagga in southern NSW and played his junior career in North Adelaide. He has been club captain since 1993 and is one of the highest paid players in the game. He has won two premierships for the Roos (1996 and 1999), won the club best and fairest award four times, was named an All-Australian on seven occasions, also being named captain in four of those years, and led the goal-kicking five times. Last year he was named the captain of the Roos’ Team of the Century.
Carey’s reputation became a little tarnished last year when he managed just 14 games because of persistent injuries, and in the matches he did play was a shadow of his former self.
Carey also made headlines just over six years ago when a female university student had him charged with assault after alleging that he had fondled her body parts at a nightclub, and Carey later settled out of court when the woman filed a civil suit against him.
Carey’s immediate future is uncertain given he has stated he always leaves the game on a high. He still has one year remaining in his current contract, so his immediately departure will cost the cash-strapped club a large sum of payout. There is speculations that he will either wait until October before he nominates himself for the draft or he will go into recluse just like Gary Ablett.
The only thing we know is that Carey can't play for the other 15 clubs this year.

That's all for now. See you soon.

Regards,