Wayne Carey white powder saga: AFL legend lashed by ex-fiancee, stood down from two commentary roles

Wayne Carey has been stood down from commentary roles with both Channel 7 and Triple M, pending an investigation into the circumstances surrounding him being caught with a bag of white powder at Perth’s Crown casino.

The AFL great has been lashed by his ex-fiancee, who says he has failed to learn from previous misdemeanours, despite denying any criminality in his latest controversy, telling media on Monday night the bag that fell from his pocket and onto a Perth casino gaming table was “not an illegal substance” but in fact painkillers.

An alarm was activated, and in-house security was called, at which point, the 51-year-old admitted the substance was his, the Herald Sun reported.

On Monday night, Carey told The Age after the allegations emerged that the white powder wasn’t illegal, but rather “an anti-inflammatory that he took with dinner”.

Kate Neilson, the former partner of the North Melbourne champion told the Herald Sun he is “like a cat with nine lives”.

“He hasn’t got a great track record for learning his lesson. Only time will tell,” she said.

Camera Icon Wayne Carey with Kate Nielson. Credit: Trevor Collens/Trevor Collens

Carey has been banned from Crown Resorts premises for two years, barring him from this year’s Brownlow Medal, and was evicted from the Crown Promenade hotel after the incident on Thursday night.

The seven-time All Australian was in Perth to cover Fremantle’s elimination final win over the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night.

He stood down from duties as an expert commentator for Channel 7’s AFL coverage on Monday night, while a Triple M spokesperson also confirmed he had agreed to also stop work with the radio network in the wake of the incident.

“Commentator Wayne Carey and Triple M have agreed for Wayne to be relieved of his on-air duties pending an internal investigation … following an incident at Crown Burswood in Perth.”

Camera Icon Carey has been slammed by his ex-wife, Kate Nielson. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Media

Carey said security didn’t confiscate the bag.

“It was not an illegal substance, it was offered to security. Security didn’t take it,” he told The Age.

“They just said it’s not a great look, I understood that, and we left without incident.”

Carey also writes a column for The Age and editor Gay Alcorn said: “We are aware of the story and will look into it in coming days.”

Known as “The King” or “Duck”, Carey has been involved in a series of controversies throughout his personal life including accusations of indecently assaulting a woman in 1996 for which he was charged.

He was also caught having an affair with teammate Anthony Stevens’ former wife Kellie in 2002.

Carey made headlines again last month after an argument with Stevens at a premiership reunion but the following day quickly denied any reports of a blow-up.