“We didn’t think it was the right decision. I called Wayne Carey earlier this morning to inform him of this and he agreed that being made a Legend would take away from the event and the important focus on the national response to the issue of gender-based violence against women.

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“He also agreed the focus should be on the inaugural inductees and the nine legends of NSW Football that will be announced tonight.”

Carey has been contacted for comment.

Players, senior coaches and umpires this week are forming a linked circle at the centre of the ground before all games to pay a silent tribute to women who have lost their lives to gender-based violence.

Under criteria set out in the NSW Australian Football Hall of Fame Charter, the selection committee may consider a candidate’s individual record, ability, integrity, sportsmanship and character.

Carey pleaded guilty to indecent assault after grabbing a woman’s breast in 1995. The woman filed a civil suit against him, which was settled out of court.

He was arrested in the US in 2007 and charged with assaulting a female police officer in 2007 after his then-girlfriend Kate Neilson accused him of smashing a wine glass against her face. He pleaded guilty to assaulting and resisting Miami police but escaped conviction.

Neilson did not press charges but in 2022 described their relationship as “toxic” in an interview with Daily Mail.

Carey, a former columnist with The Age, relinquished his mainstream media duties in 2022 after being evicted from Crown Perth when a small bag containing a powdered substance fell out of his pocket while gambling. Carey said the bag had contained a legal painkiller. He was not charged over the incident.

Carey, who kicked 727 goals in 272 games for North Melbourne and Adelaide, made his name at the Kangaroos, leading the club to premierships in 1996 and 1999. He was named in the All-Australian side seven times and is a four-time winner of North’s best-and-fairest award.

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