Former AFL star Wayne Carey is just one of the 17 celebrity recruits being put through their paces on SAS Australia 2022.
Since joining North Melbourne football club at just 16-years-old, Wayne has had a successful career as both an athlete and commentator.
In his career, he was the second youngest club captain at just 21-year-old. He went on to captain two premiership sides, while also being named North Melbourne’s best and fairest four times.
Following a short stint with the Adelaide Crows, Wayne retired before becoming a commentator for 3AW, Fox Footy and Channel 9.
**Content warning: the following discusses domestic violence and assault and may be distressing to some readers.
However, Wayne, 50, is known for far more than his athletic accolades. In fact, this is why fans are less than impressed with his inclusion in the upcoming season of SAS Australia 2022.
SAS Australia playing off Wayne Carey’s long history of awful behaviour as something he can redeem/overcome by doing some abseiling in the rain and setting himself on fire is pretty gross. Yuck.
— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) January 30, 2022
I just saw an ad for SAS Australia which apparently will feature Wayne Carey if anyone’s wondering what the worst and most morally vacuous TV show of 2022 will be
— Harry Saddler (@MondayStory) December 17, 2021
Ad for SAS Australia-“Wayne Carey, charged by police.” Obviously thats a qualification to be on the show.
— Lorenz Fretz (@THankock) January 7, 2022
Why Are People So Pressed That Wayne Carey Has Been Cast On SAS Australia?
As we all know by know, SAS Australia loves a good redemption story.
In a teaser trailer for the upcoming season, Wayne confessed that an affair he had with his teammate’s wife has “haunted [him] for 20 years”.
“My integrity will always be questioned. I’m not trying to prove anything to the public… It’s to myself.”
News of the affair shook the sporting community in 2002 when it was revealed the footballer had been sleeping with Anthony Stevens‘ wife, Kelli. Even more shocking, was that Anthony was a groomsman when Wayne wed Sally McMahon just one year earlier.
However, an affair is perhaps the least shocking indiscretion of Wayne’s chequered past.
He tested positive for cocaine when visiting Melbourne’s Barwon prison to mentor inmates in 2012.
In 2008, police were forced to use capsicum spray to subdue the footballer after he attacked officers in Port Melbourne.
In 2007, Wayne’s then-partner Kate Neilson told Miami police that he’d smashed a wine glass in her face during an argument in their hotel room. When law enforcement arrived, he kicked a female officer in the mouth. He later pleaded guilty to two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer.
Side note: Kate is also the same woman Wayne left Sally for, despite being pregnant with their daughter, Ella.
Ten years prior to the Miami assault, Wayne had pleaded guilty to indecent assault after grabbing a woman’s breast on a Melbourne street.
What Is Wayne Carey Doing Now?
Wayne has twice been let go from commentating gigs following his misdemeanors, however, he’s since risen from the ashes.
He has maintained a successful football commentating career with Seven since 2014. In 2020, he was also cast by the network in The All New Monty: Guys and Gals to raise awareness of various cancers.
As of 2022, the father-of-three is dating Melbourne model, Jessica Paulke, with whom he shares a son.
If you or anyone you know is struggling and needs support, call1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or Lifeline on 13 11 14, both of which provide trained counsellors you can talk with 24/7. You can also talk to someone from 1800RESPECT via online chat. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
Want even more goss? Listen to episode 150 of the So Dramatic! podcast with Megan Pustetto below!
Know something that we don’t? Spill the tea here!
Get the tea first! Follow So Dramatic! on Instagram and tune in on Mondays to get your reality tea fix with the So Dramatic! podcast with Megan Pustetto.
