9 hours ago
2
A group of North Melbourne Football Club legends have sparked controversy for their plans to reportedly snub the team's 50th anniversary grand final celebration because they'll have to stand up at the venue.
The event, which will commemorate the Kangaroos' premiership win in 1975, has been organised to take place in a Melbourne bar, but the decision has reportedly annoyed more than a few former players.
'About eight to 10 [players] are not going to turn up because it's a stand-up function at a bar,' 3AW's Ross Stevenson reported earlier this week.
Top footy journalist Caroline Wilson confirmed the rumour on Channel Seven’s The Agenda Setters program on Tuesday night.
'I think this is a bit churlish,' said Wilson.
'They're also celebrating their first AFLW flag, so there's going to be a lot of people at this function.
A group of North Melbourne footy legends have reportedly decided to snub a 50th anniversary celebration (pictured, the team's headquarters)
The event, intended to commemorate the Kangaroos' premiership in 1975, has been organised to take place in a Melbourne bar. Some players were hoping for a sit-down function
'There isn't enough room for everyone to sit down. There will be people going in, people going out, stuff going on on the ground.
'C'mon guys, find a sofa, sit down with your buffet meal and celebrate with your mates.'
The 1975 premiership side includes an array of footy greats, including Malcolm Blight, Wayne Schimmelbusch and Sam Kekovich - with all the team members now in their 70s.
The side also included Barry Cable, who was in 2024 charged with with child sexual abuse after he allegedly assaulted a young girl in the 1960s.
The Kangaroos are also celebrating their 100th-year anniversary this year and will mark the landmark occasion at the Marvel Stadium during their Thursday night clash against the Western Bulldogs in round 17.
Plenty of fanfare is expected for the iconic match, with the club also set to welcome back several key faces from years gone by - including footy great Wayne Carey.
According to Channel 7's Caroline Wilson, Carey is due to return alongside former team-mates Anthony Stevens and Glenn Archer for the match.
Interestingly, the news came six months after the two-time Leigh Matthews winner, Carey, was controversially snubbed by North from a video celebrating their 100-year anniversary.
Kangaroos legend Barry Cable (pictured) is fighting child sexual crime allegations dating back to the 1960s
The Kangaroos are this year also celebrating their 100th-year anniversary next month (pictured, club president Sonja Hood)
Footy great Wayne Carey (pictured) will reportedly attend the 100th-year anniversary
The Roos forward is seen as one of the greatest players to have played AFL footy, winning seven All-Australian jackets and guiding the North Melbourne club to two premierships in 1996 and 1999.
He also captained the team for eight years between 1993 and 2001.
Despite that, Carey, Stevens and Archer will now all reunite for the landmark celebration.
It comes following Carey's shocking and messy exit from the footy club back in 2001 after his extramarital affair with Steven's wife, Kelli.
The affair left the footy world stunned after they had been caught in a toilet at a house party.
The two-time premiership captain subsequently left the club to join the Crows.
'All three men (Carey, Stevens, Archer) are well aware that they will be there together and united for the first time,' Wilson said on The Agenda Setters.
'There was speculation last year when North unveiled their centenary jumper. And if you remember, there were North champions through the eras and there was no Wayne Carey. And Corey McKernan was very upset about this.'
