Wayne Carey's dad

[quidnunc]

I don't want to judge the guy because that's not my job and who the hell am I to judge anyway!

But, I would give the guy full credit to subjecting himself to public scrutiny on national televison with an interviewer given licence to probe deeply into Wayn'es life and periods of turmoil. He just may be subjecting himself to this scrutiny in a bid to "fix" his problems and turn his life around.

Would some of those who are very public in their criticism of the man be so public in their criticism if it were their son? I think not.

[Dan Warna]

i wonder how much of this is to avoid gaol time?

given he has chosen to expose himself on national media, i don't think we are beholden to believe him.

I reckon its mostly stage managed and a ploy and he looked evasive and he stuck to a story on most issues.

the moran relationship? well another liar judy moran reckons carey and her boys were best mates. but then again who would believe judy moran.

the fact remains carey spoke at moran's trial as a character witness. North made a substantial payment to an individual after allegations involving carey were made regarding post grand final celebrations, and video tape of carey's activities.

[evertonfc]

Iceman,

If it was Carey's football career that was in question, sure, I'll debate it until the end of time.

However, it's his personal life, his private life, and I wouldn't want him commenting on my personal affairs if it wasn't affecting him. Pretty sure he's not going to Evertonfc.

Quite frankly...I'm over the whole role model thing, too. I think it's a weak argument coughed up by those who think brain-dead kids won't be able to seperate right from wrong. Nothing to do with brain dead kids mate - I grew up worshipping George Young and others - would have been devastated as a kid to find out they were sub-human at that time or shortly after their careers finished - using cocaine etc. Sorry mate but these guys are role-models. Thousands of kids have worn his number on their back - to find out he's a woman beating coke snorting loser.

---edited for size---

One of the more unusual posts I've seen on here, and not just for the chioice of colour.

And I think if you want to talk to a journo, you should talk to HarveysDeciple, who I think posted that he works in the media...?

I just hate the celebrification of the world and how we think it's our business to pry on people when they are in trouble.

Gutter journalism and foot-in-door journalism is something I abhor; it's such a shame that McMansionville laps it up. The public should be turning their back en masse, but the sales figures show they want more, more, more...

Iceman, you are probably right. They are our celebrities, and I guess if we put them up there, it's our right to take them down.

I find that just a terrible thing that society chooses to eat its own, but I am out of step with the suburbs, I guess.

I don't want to judge the guy because that's not my job and who the hell am I to judge anyway!

But, I would give the guy full credit to subjecting himself to public scrutiny on national televison with an interviewer given licence to probe deeply into Wayn'es life and periods of turmoil. He just may be subjecting himself to this scrutiny in a bid to "fix" his problems and turn his life around.

Would some of those who are very public in their criticism of the man be so public in their criticism if it were their son? I think not.

Brilliant post.

[Iceman234]

Sorry evertonfc, for some reason I thought you were in the media.

[GrumpyOne]

Disagree strongly with you there Everton.

Carey didn't finish his career and retire gracefully back to the farm or submerse himself in his business interests like so many other champion players. He chose to put himself about as a media personality, and take some of the big bucks that were offered him to show his face on TV etc.

He made that decision undoubtedly with the advice that if he did, his life would have to be lived without blemish as it were.

He chose to play the media game, he must take the lows of that choice as well as the highs, those highs being the money he earnt as a result.

If he wanted to p1ss on, belt his missus and snort the white he should have retired to some little hideaway where he could be anonymous. Can't have it both ways Wayne.

[evertonfc]

Disagree strongly with you there Everton.

Carey didn't finish his career and retire gracefully back to the farm or submerse himself in his business interests like so many other champion players. He chose to put himself about as a media personality, and take some of the big bucks that were offered him to show his face on TV etc.

Point taken about him choosing to stay in the spotlight - but should we be interrogating people and their private lives just for that reason?

(Yes, I know it happens, I'm just saying I don't think it should)

He chose to play the media game, he must take the lows of that choice as well as the highs, those highs being the money he earnt as a result.

If he wanted to p1ss on, belt his missus and snort the white he should have retired to some little hideaway where he could be anonymous. Can't have it both ways Wayne.

I don't condone his actions, but of the people I know in the media (although I'm not there iceman, like stinger, I know my fair share of them), I reckon at least 20-30% frequently do drugs and at least 60-70% would get intoxicated once a fortnight - but I don't think they deserve to have that exposed either, because it's their private business.

I wish we as a society were more worried about our own private lives or about helping those in times of troubles than sitting on the outside, making moral commentary.

Just my perspective.

[Dan Warna]

when folks trade on their reputation, then i think you have a right to explore what their reputation represents.

[rodgerfox]

Why do people care about Wayne Carey anyway?

A footballers abilities or feats on the ground have never made me walk taller, or feel better about myself. It's like watching porn, it's great and gets the excitement up - but nowhere near as good as doing it yourself.

So why should their feats and activities off the ground be of any interest or influence on me?

We have become a society of 'non-participants'.

We don't participate in sport - we prefer to watch it.

We don't go out and try to meet people, we go on the internet and do it under aliases.

We don't cook anymore. We prefer to watch Ready, Steady, Cook' then go and get a pizza delivered.

Even basic social interactions, are becoming far less regular. We prefer to sit back and watch other people live their lives. This is why reality TV is so popular. We don't have to participate in human behaviour at all - we can simply sit back and watch someone else do it.

Then pass judgement.


To be honest, having spent 20 years of my life at a footy club, I actually thought Carey's 'admissions' were very tame. Very tame indeed, and I'd be very surprised if he revealed the true extent.

[evertonfc]

when folks trade on their reputation, then i think you have a right to explore what their reputation represents.

He never traded on being a great human being, Dan.

He traded on the unspoken fact that he was one of the greatest footballers ever. That's how he got his media gigs - not by being a great person, but by being a great footballer.

Thus, if you're looking for flaws in his professional life, sure, he might have lost some of his pace and swagger post-2001.

But since he doesn't come across me in any personal way - he chooses to that in a domain he doesn't share with me (whereas I watched him play football) - I don't feel qualified to pass judgement on him. I know what he's done is wrong, but it's not for me to decide on his character.

People do bad things all the time, but we don't castigate them publicly.

At the end of the day, people are obsessed with this issue because he used to play football really well.

I find that sick. We are celebrity-obsessed.

[yipper]

Disagree strongly with you there Everton.

Carey didn't finish his career and retire gracefully back to the farm or submerse himself in his business interests like so many other champion players. He chose to put himself about as a media personality, and take some of the big bucks that were offered him to show his face on TV etc.

Point taken about him choosing to stay in the spotlight - but should we be interrogating people and their private lives just for that reason?

(Yes, I know it happens, I'm just saying I don't think it should)

He chose to play the media game, he must take the lows of that choice as well as the highs, those highs being the money he earnt as a result.

If he wanted to p1ss on, belt his missus and snort the white he should have retired to some little hideaway where he could be anonymous. Can't have it both ways Wayne.

I don't condone his actions, but of the people I know in the media (although I'm not there iceman, like stinger, I know my fair share of them), I reckon at least 20-30% frequently do drugs and at least 60-70% would get intoxicated once a fortnight - but I don't think they deserve to have that exposed either, because it's their private business.

I wish we as a society were more worried about our own private lives or about helping those in times of troubles than sitting on the outside, making moral commentary.

Just my perspective.

Thats all very well Everton - in an ideal society, we'd wouldn't give a hoot about what "celebrities" get up to. But, in Melbourne today - we have teenagers binge drinking themselves stupid EVERY weekend because they think it's cool, we have drugs running rampant even in schoolgrounds - cos they think it's cool and we have a real increase in Domestic Violence against women by men of all persuasions - so, when Wayne Carey decides to accept the mega dollars of the media world - then he has an obligation to NOT send the wrong messages to the masses who idolise him. And, unfortunately, it's the same for all high profile sports stars - they have to be above those things - otherwise, the message that gets out to the kids is that if the best player of the modern era does it - then why can't we do it to?? It is not fair on them - but thems the breaks. Doesn't seem to affect the true champions - like Harvs, Hird, Buckley etc. and they all like to have a drink from time to time.

[GrumpyOne]

Disagree strongly with you there Everton.

Carey didn't finish his career and retire gracefully back to the farm or submerse himself in his business interests like so many other champion players. He chose to put himself about as a media personality, and take some of the big bucks that were offered him to show his face on TV etc.

Point taken about him choosing to stay in the spotlight - but should we be interrogating people and their private lives just for that reason?

(Yes, I know it happens, I'm just saying I don't think it should)

He chose to play the media game, he must take the lows of that choice as well as the highs, those highs being the money he earnt as a result.

If he wanted to p1ss on, belt his missus and snort the white he should have retired to some little hideaway where he could be anonymous. Can't have it both ways Wayne.

I don't condone his actions, but of the people I know in the media (although I'm not there iceman, like stinger, I know my fair share of them), I reckon at least 20-30% frequently do drugs and at least 60-70% would get intoxicated once a fortnight - but I don't think they deserve to have that exposed either, because it's their private business.

I wish we as a society were more worried about our own private lives or about helping those in times of troubles than sitting on the outside, making moral commentary.

Just my perspective.

Thats all very well Everton - in an ideal society, we'd wouldn't give a hoot about what "celebrities" get up to. But, in Melbourne today - we have teenagers binge drinking themselves stupid EVERY weekend because they think it's cool, we have drugs running rampant even in schoolgrounds - cos they think it's cool and we have a real increase in Domestic Violence against women by men of all persuasions - so, when Wayne Carey decides to accept the mega dollars of the media world - then he has an obligation to NOT send the wrong messages to the masses who idolise him. And, unfortunately, it's the same for all high profile sports stars - they have to be above those things - otherwise, the message that gets out to the kids is that if the best player of the modern era does it - then why can't we do it to?? It is not fair on them - but thems the breaks. Doesn't seem to affect the true champions - like Harvs, Hird, Buckley etc. and they all like to have a drink from time to time.

Well said Yip.

[evertonfc]

so, when Wayne Carey decides to accept the mega dollars of the media world - then he has an obligation to NOT send the wrong messages to the masses who idolise him.

But yipper...he says he wasn't paid (whether you believe him or not is irrelvent, cos it's all about messages you send out, eh?).

Not only that, did the media say what he did was right or wrong? They said it was wrong and bad.

Do you think the children of Melbourne can't tell right from wrong?

I grew up with footballers doing horrendous things, but I knew what they were doing was wrong...usually because the media was the first one to point it out.

Orwell was right: Each generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it.

In the 1970s, kids did drugs, ****ed around and drunk like bottomless pits. And the majority turned out ok, didn't they?

[Mr Magic]

so, when Wayne Carey decides to accept the mega dollars of the media world - then he has an obligation to NOT send the wrong messages to the masses who idolise him.

But yipper...he says he wasn't paid (whether you believe him or not is irrelvent, cos it's all about messages you send out, eh?).

I think teh context Yipper was refering to was Carey accepting money to become a media commentator and not to 'sell his story'.

[rodgerfox]

Thats all very well Everton - in an ideal society, we'd wouldn't give a hoot about what "celebrities" get up to. But, in Melbourne today - we have teenagers binge drinking themselves stupid EVERY weekend because they think it's cool, we have drugs running rampant even in schoolgrounds - cos they think it's cool and we have a real increase in Domestic Violence against women by men of all persuasions - so, when Wayne Carey decides to accept the mega dollars of the media world - then he has an obligation to NOT send the wrong messages to the masses who idolise him.

According to the media though, binge drinking has reached crisis point, drug use is at all time highs, violence is out of control etc. etc.

Yet, over the past 5 years, the AFL has cleaned up it's act 10 fold.

Years ago the biggest rock stars were famous for drugs and sex. Now, the clean guys are the biggest sellers - scandal like drugs ruin careers. Guys like Dean Martin were famous, and made their living off portraying a life of alcoholism and womanising. These days, Robert Downey Jr can't get a job because he's a drunk and a drug addict.
Have a read of one of Rod Marsh or Doug Walters' books to see the private lives of these guys and what they got up to. Back then, it was lauded.

The sums don't add up. Celebrities and sports stars cleaning up their act, whilst society and our kids go down the gurglar. The behaviour of our past celebs and sports stars was 1000 times worse than now - yet society was better. I just don't buy the correlation.

I genuinely don't buy the concept of our kids following the lead of celebs. It's their parent that they follow.

Always has been, always will be.

Funnily enough, I think it's adults who get led by celebrities - not kids. Dr Phil raises most peoples kids, The Biggest Loser tells people what to eat, and Oprah dictates how people live.

[yipper]

so, when Wayne Carey decides to accept the mega dollars of the media world - then he has an obligation to NOT send the wrong messages to the masses who idolise him.

But yipper...he says he wasn't paid (whether you believe him or not is irrelvent, cos it's all about messages you send out, eh?).

I think teh context Yipper was refering to was Carey accepting money to become a media commentator and not to 'sell his story'.

Yeah, sorry Ev - I meant post footy career in the media - got paid a truckload of money to work in the media and therefore, chose to remain a public figure.

[evertonfc]

so, when Wayne Carey decides to accept the mega dollars of the media world - then he has an obligation to NOT send the wrong messages to the masses who idolise him.

But yipper...he says he wasn't paid (whether you believe him or not is irrelvent, cos it's all about messages you send out, eh?).

I think teh context Yipper was refering to was Carey accepting money to become a media commentator and not to 'sell his story'.

My apologies, that is correct.

But even so, again, surely his obligation is only related to what he does as a professional (this time in the media) on-screen, isn't it?

I know thousands of people in the public eye who do drugs and drink hard. Work hard, play hard is their motto.

Should they be exposed? And what do we stand to gain from exposing them?

[GrumpyOne]

In the 1970s, kids did drugs, ****ed around and drunk like bottomless pits. And the majority turned out ok, didn't they?

During the 70s I went from being a teenager to my mid twenties, and I have to say, "Did we turn out ok?"

[yipper]

Thats all very well Everton - in an ideal society, we'd wouldn't give a hoot about what "celebrities" get up to. But, in Melbourne today - we have teenagers binge drinking themselves stupid EVERY weekend because they think it's cool, we have drugs running rampant even in schoolgrounds - cos they think it's cool and we have a real increase in Domestic Violence against women by men of all persuasions - so, when Wayne Carey decides to accept the mega dollars of the media world - then he has an obligation to NOT send the wrong messages to the masses who idolise him.

According to the media though, binge drinking has reached crisis point, drug use is at all time highs, violence is out of control etc. etc.

Yet, over the past 5 years, the AFL has cleaned up it's act 10 fold.

Years ago the biggest rock stars were famous for drugs and sex. Now, the clean guys are the biggest sellers - scandal like drugs ruin careers. Guys like Dean Martin were famous, and made their living off portraying a life of alcoholism and womanising. These days, Robert Downey Jr can't get a job because he's a drunk and a drug addict.
Have a read of one of Rod Marsh or Doug Walters' books to see the private lives of these guys and what they got up to. Back then, it was lauded.

The sums don't add up. Celebrities and sports stars cleaning up their act, whilst society and our kids go down the gurglar. The behaviour of our past celebs and sports stars was 1000 times worse than now - yet society was better. I just don't buy the correlation.

I genuinely don't buy the concept of our kids following the lead of celebs. It's their parent that they follow.

Always has been, always will be.

Funnily enough, I think it's adults who get led by celebrities - not kids. Dr Phil raises most peoples kids, The Biggest Loser tells people what to eat, and Oprah dictates how people live.

Good points Rodg - however, I think the media is / are the biggest hypocrites in the world. Listen to a "boundary rider" interview a sports star (footy player) after a big win - they ususally throw in the "going out to celebrate tonight? Have a few drinks?" then kick the crap out of that player when they are arrested for being D&D the next morning. Drugs are generally frowned upon - but when celebrities are using stuff like cocaine or extasy - the so-called party drugs - then young ppl would tend to believe that must be fun to use, or cool to have. It's a messed up world and I reckon parents are certainly responsible to some degree, social workers to another and celebrities are what many kids aspire to be like.

[evertonfc]

It's a messed up world and I reckon parents are certainly responsible to some degree

But don't you dare tell my little darling he's done something wrong...otherwse I'll come to the school and sort this out...

Parents are 10000% more responsible for their kids than the media. Fact.

social workers to another

Like nurses and doctors, these people try to save lives. Don't ever forget that.

and celebrities are what many kids aspire to be like.

I don't know about that. I don't think I ever looked up to a celebrity as a role model.

[yipper]

Ev - I agree to a point. He is not on TV moralising over drugs, booze etc - he is doing what he is paid to do, talk about footy. However, because he is who he is - a superstar football hero of many fans, his conduct does affect his credibility. I am emphasising that I don't think it is fair - but it is a fact, media sports stars need to be above scandals. If they are going to get p..sed, then do it at home. Teenagers of today are getting brought up on a diet of reality TV - look at them wondering around the streets wearing those stupid Corey glasses now!! sheesh how stupid they look. But because Corey wore em - hey they're cool.

[yipper]

It's a messed up world and I reckon parents are certainly responsible to some degree

But don't you dare tell my little darling he's done something wrong...otherwse I'll come to the school and sort this out...

Parents are 10000% more responsible for their kids than the media. Fact.

[quote]social workers to another[/quote

Like nurses and doctors, these people try to save lives. Don't ever forget that.


Mate, I am a social worker!! Been doing this stuff for 20 years - and kids have changed. Some social workers need to be shot!! fair dinkum the crap they fill the kids up with - wih their rights!!

[evertonfc]

Mate, I am a social worker!! Been doing this stuff for 20 years - and kids have changed. Some social workers need to be shot!!

I reckon you're harsh mate. My sister and mother (part-time) are both social workers and by and large, they say it's a bloody tough gig, most people try their best, give good advice and generally try to sort the stuff out.

There's a few dodgys in every industry, I guess.

[GrumpyOne]

This seems to have been turned into the official thread to discuss the Wayne Carey interview, even if it is off-topic to the original thread. So I'll post my views here to avoid confrontations with some zealous moderator.

I did not see the interview, but read the transcript from the Herald Sun site.

If you see the words in print, its fairly obvious that some prevarication is occuring. Its also fairly obvious that Carey blames everyone else for his problems; his girlfriend, his wife, Kelly Stevens, police in both Melbourne and Miami, hotel security guards, the media, the list goes on and on.

Ably supported by his brother and sister, he is busy rewriting history to make himself the victim.

Catches himself out sometimes before he realises what is being asked, and then falls back on a preprepared script. He is not sorry for anything he has done, only sorry for being caught at it.

No sympathy for him at all, and if that was the intention of the interview, IMO it has backfired.

[aussierules0k]

[meher baba]

This has been a really interesting and (unusually for SS) mature and respectful debate.

I strongly agree with Everton FC that I find our increasingly celebrity-obsessed culture to be hard to take. I know from personal connections that the life of a modern celebrity is becoming increasingly difficult due to harrassment by the paparazzi, etc.

I also think the playing of the security tape of Carey on TV was a gross invasion of privacy.

However, having said all that, Carey chose (or was pushed by his minders) to spend an hour on the Denton show on Monday night. I regularly watch 4 Corners and Media Watch and then on came Carey (I wasn't particularly planning to watch him, but he had a morbid fascination).

We were told it was to be a candid interview but, to be blunt, I think he just purveyed a whole lot of hokum. His explanations of Moran, his history of drug abuse, the toilet incident, the wine glass incident, his dealings with New Idea were all extremely unconvincing. All in all, he came across as an extremely weak person with relatively low intelligence and very little insight into himself. As Grumpy One says, he isn't sorry about what he did, he is simply sorry that he got caught doing it.

He also came across as having had an abusive upbringing (although his older siblings came across as being ok, I thought), but so have many other people who have subsequently had far fewer opportunities than Carey, so he gets some of my sympathy. But it is time to grow up.

Having had an hour of this presented to me on our #1 national TV network, why am I not permitted to pass judgement on the man? I didn't invade his privacy: he invaded my living room in between Media Watch and Lateline!! (Yes, I know I could have turned it off, but I have a very comfortable couch.)

As for AOK's comments that "footballers out of control are nothing new" and "footballers and wives have been swapping since footy began", I think that is a gross exaggeration and - to be frank - an insult to many living and dead footballers who would never dream of behaving like that. I don't recall hearing any of Carey's teammates or peers providing anything like this excuse when the Carey-Kelli Stevens business was revealed.

It was pretty clear to me that Kelli Stevens was going through one of life's low periods at the time and Carey preyed upon this. He must have realised what the consequences were going to be if he got caught. Obviously he didn't care: his own pleasure and ego fulfilment were more important to him than his club, his team, his mates, his reputation. And don't tell me he couldn't control himself: ha!! I and most other men I know have received advances from women in circumstances where we know that succumbing would only cause massive hurt and trouble to the participants and other innocent parties down the track. While I can't say that I have the greatest self-discipline in the world, at least I have enough to say no in these situations.

And then the man has the hide to say that "there were two parties involved".

Scumbag....