logo
AFL coaching great Denis Pagan, Wayne Carey's son Carter fire up North Melbourne Kangaroos

AFL coaching great Denis Pagan, Wayne Carey's son Carter fire up North Melbourne Kangaroos

Courier-Mail3 days ago
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
North Melbourne legend Denis Pagan had a priceless clip for the current squad on a special night for the Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium.
The club celebrated its Centenary on Thursday night, competing for much of the game before eventually getting outclassed 20.14 (134) to 13.7 (85) by the Western Bulldogs.
FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.
Founded in 1869 as the North Melbourne Football Club, it joined the former Victorian Football League competition exactly 100 years ago, in 1925.
Adopting the name Kangaroos in 1950, the club has typically had a working class, backs-to-the-wall spirit throughout its history.
Watch Denis Pagan fire up the Roos in the player above
Denis Pagan, Wayne Carey and his son Carter with the 1996 Premiership Cup. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Club great Glenn Archer and North president Sonja Hood ahead of the game. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Since Pagan led the Roos to premierships in 1996 and 1999, however, the club has fallen on hard times.
Pagan, 77, who was given the honour of being named coach of the club's Team of the Century, provided a classic pre-match speech in an effort to inspire the 'Shinboners' on such a special night.
And in trademark style, he didn't pull any punches.
After taking the current list through a short history of the club, Pagan couldn't resist bringing up North's dreadful 85-point belting against the Hawks last weekend.
'The 90s came along and we had a great team then, very similar to the 70s,' Pagan said as his volume increased.
(left to right) Brett Allison, Mark Roberts, Wayne Carey, John Longmire and Corey McKernan back in 1994. Photo: Herald Sun
Carey leaps into the arms of Corey McKernan during the 1999 grand final. Photo: Michael Klein
'No one intimidated us. We had a mantra, 'war without weapons'. Everyone who ran out put his body on the line.
'I want to see you blokes do that tonight. I had a look at Hawthorn last week and I can tell you what, a lot of you blokes have got a bit to answer for.
'Tonight, you make sure that you're hard at the ball, you're hard at the man with the ball, you tackle and chase, you put pressure on your opponent.
'No day dreaming, just go for it and give it your best shot.'
It had the desired effect, especially in the first half, on a night that was still tinged with controversy for North Melbourne.
Pagan and troubled club great Wayne Carey brought the 1996 Premiership Cup onto the field as part of the celebrations before the game got underway.
Former skipper Carey is widely considered North's greatest ever player, captaining the club to those two flags in the 1990s.
X
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
But he is also synonymous with one of the biggest scandals in club history, when his affair with the wife of teammate Anthony Stevens came to light in 2002, leading to Carey's sacking and plummeting the club into a long period at the foot of the ladder.
Carey was largely shunned by the Roos for many years, but has slowly been incorporated back into club functions in recent times.
His son Carter shared a cute moment with current North Melbourne star Harry Sheezel a day before the game when the six-year-old was presented with a signed jumper from his favourite player.
Carter was also alongside his dad and Pagan when the 96 Cup was brought out onto the ground.
The Roos of old were renowned for lifting and beating the odds and some of that seemed to rub off on the 2025 side early on Thursday night.
Carey addresses the media over a white powder scandal at Crown Casino in Perth. Picture: Catie McLeod
Harry Sheezel (right) presents a North Melbourne jumper to Carey's son Carter. Picture: Ian Currie
Big key forward Nick Larkey kicked three goals in the opening term as North took a surprise six-point lead into the first change.
Despite a knee concern, Larkey slotted another two goals in the second quarter as the teams traded goals before the heavily favoured Dogs took a 13-point lead into halftime.
It was an encouraging performance from a team making slow strides under coach Alastair Clarkson before the Bulldogs powered to victory in the second half.
But many fans were loving the appearance of Carey and his son as part of such a special night for the perennial battlers.
North Melbourne's official Instagram account posted a photo of the Careys with Sheezel with the caption: 'Carter Carey meets his favourite Roo️. Make sure you're in your seat by 6.45pm AEST tonight for our Centenary celebrations, with the Duck and Denis Pagan to deliver the 1996 premiership cup!'
Denis Pagan addressed the North players before the clash with the Bulldogs. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
The occasion appeared to inspire Nick Larkey in the first half. (Photo by)
One North fan replied: 'Oh finally the greatest ever kanga is gracing my screen. Hail the KING.'
Another wrote: 'Former Captain to future captain. Awesome photo. Long live the (king).'
A third stated: 'Best photo I've seen come out of the club in years.'
A number of Kangaroos fans were making the same joke about the son of a club great.
'Can carter play this week?' and 'can he play centre half forward?' were among some of the comments from the optimistic fan base.
Carey's countless scandals since the end of his playing days, including allegations of domestic violence and problems with drugs and alcohol, have left many footy fans struggling to accept his return into the sport's mainstream.
It's clear a number of North fans are prepared to move on, however, particularly on such an important night in the club's long, proud history.
Originally published as Coaching great Denis Pagan, Wayne Carey's son fire up Kangaroos
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

AFL 2025 Sydney Swans defeat Fremantle Dockers, Round 17, as Tom Papley injured at the SCG
AFL 2025 Sydney Swans defeat Fremantle Dockers, Round 17, as Tom Papley injured at the SCG

Courier-Mail

time15 minutes ago

  • Courier-Mail

AFL 2025 Sydney Swans defeat Fremantle Dockers, Round 17, as Tom Papley injured at the SCG

Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. The Sydney Swans are still alive in season 2025 after a thrilling 11-point win over Fremantle on Sunday. But their 14.10 (94) to 12.11 (83) win has come at a cost with Joel Amartey (groin) limping off in the dying stages and Tom Papley (hamstring) subbed out at half time. It's another painful close loss for the Dockers, who missed the finals last year after several narrow defeats. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Sydney led from start to finish, as Freo's tough record against the Swans rolls on with a sixth loss in their last eight games. The Swans were out by 20 points in the third term before the Dockers found their fight through big man Luke Jackson (13 disposals, two goals) who kicked truly after the three quarter time siren. Injured star Tom Papley with Isaac Heeney after the win over Fremantle. (Photo by Phil Hillyard) Docker Jye Amiss had multiple chances to close the gap in the final term but blew them. When Michael Frederick put his running shot out on the full in the dying stages, Sydney were able to hang on for the win. Fremantle's top eight hopes now hang in the balance, but for Sydney they stay alive in season 2025, although coach Dean Cox is sweating on his latest injuries. 'We need to work out the extent of that (Papley's injury) and the same with Amartey late in the game,' he said. 'We'll see throughout the next couple of days how that settles, get some scans and the results will come from that.' Their 11-point win at the SCG was set up on the back of a first half midfield 'bashing'. At half time, the Swans nailed five goals to none from centre clearance in worrying signs for Freo coach Justin Longmuir. X Learn More SUBSCRIBER ONLY 'They've been so dominant – plus-13 for clearance but in particular their centre bounce work, five goals from centre bounce,' Fox Footy's Alastair Lynch said. 'It is the mechanics of the four that are in there,' Dermott Brereton added. 'When (Brodie) Grundy is in there predominantly, they are having the first look, the first touch, the first clearance, first possession. It's predominantly going Sydney's way. 'That's the difference in the game as it stands.' Brodie Grundy was given the massive task of taking on Freo's tag team of Sean Darcy and Jackson. Brodie Grundy (left) was a standout again for the Swans. (Photo by) But Sydney's 'shining light' delivered in another outstanding performance. 'He's like a man possessed,' Fox Footy's Dwayne Russell said. 'He's a different man Brodie Grundy this last month and a bit. 'He did finish fourth in the best and fairest last year.' Statistics showed Grundy has leapt into the #11 ranked player in the AFL – up from the #95 he was ranked for the first six rounds. By full time, Grundy racked up 20 disposals, 33 hit-outs and a goal in a stellar performance. The Swans have shown vast improvement since the likes of Errol Gulden returned, but Cox will be hoping for some good news on the injury front ahead of next week's clash with the Saints at Marvel Stadium. Originally published as Swans' slim finals hopes still alive but injuries strike again in Freo win

Wardrobe malfunction ruins Aussie's hopes at Wimbledon
Wardrobe malfunction ruins Aussie's hopes at Wimbledon

Courier-Mail

time15 minutes ago

  • Courier-Mail

Wardrobe malfunction ruins Aussie's hopes at Wimbledon

Don't miss out on the headlines from Tennis. Followed categories will be added to My News. Wimbledon star Daria Kasatkina lost a point during her clash with Liudmila Samsonova after her earring got stuck in her shirt. The 16th seed was taking on the 19th seed when the unfortunate wardrobe malfunction occurred, The Sun reports. Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. After striking a forehand return, Kasatkina's earring caught her Adidas polo. The Aussie was unable to free her ear in time to respond to Samsonova's next ball. Not quite believing her luck, Russian star Samsonova watched her routine backhand trundle beyond the helpless Kasatkina. Daria's earring got caught in her top in the middle of a point. The Aussie couldn't do anything as play continued. This incident rather summed up Kasatkina's outing on the No.3 Court. The former quarter-finalist here in SW19 was blitzed early on by Samsonova. Kasatkina trailed 6-2 2-0 40-40 before both players were forced to go off by a rain delay. At this point umpire Nico Helwerth was wheeled off the court, much to the amusement of fans. And any thoughts that the break would do Kasatkina some good following her poor start were quickly dispelled. Liudmila Samsonova knocked out Daria Kasatkina to advance into the fourth round at Wimbledon. (AP Photo/Joanna Chan) When play resumed around two hours later, it was much of the same for the 28-year-old. Kasatkina went on to be beaten 6-2 6-3 by her in-form opponent. Samsonova will next face Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. The Spaniard defeated Coco Gauff's conqueror Dayana Yastremska 6-1 2-6 6-3 on Court 16. This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission. Originally published as Wardrobe malfunction ruins Aussie's hopes at Wimbledon

Longmuir vows to ‘change things up' to better protect Serong
Longmuir vows to ‘change things up' to better protect Serong

Perth Now

time2 hours ago

  • Perth Now

Longmuir vows to ‘change things up' to better protect Serong

Fremantle have promised to find different ways to use Caleb Serong when he's being tagged after the All-Australian midfielder was held to his lowest possession tally since his debut season during the Dockers' 11-point loss to Sydney on Sunday. The Dockers were hoping to extend their winning streak to seven games but were blown away in the midfield and James Jordan restricted Serong to just 11 possessions in Sydney's 14.10 (94) to 12.11 (83) win. Sydney also held Serong to 19 disposals earlier in the season while St Kilda restricted him to 18 touches in round eight and 15 possessions last week. Serong has been one of the AFL's best ball winners, at one stage having 73 consecutive games with at least 20 disposals. Coach Justin Longmuir said the team needed to give him new ways to impact the result when receiving heavy attention. 'We've got to explore that, absolutely,' he said. 'We put him forward in the third quarter and he kicked a goal. He had a little bit more influence in the second half. We think he can have influence as a forward. We'd rather not do it. 'We'll try and change things up in the midfield a little bit. We went to that. We will keep exploring those things. He's getting more and more attention. Teams are sitting tighter and tighter on him so we'll keep helping him through that.' Sydney also restricted Andrew Brayshaw's influence for large portions of the game and controlled the midfield. Sydney led the centre clearances 10-2 at half-time which set up their 17-point lead. Fremantle fought back strongly in the second half, winning the clearances and reducing the deficit to one point during the final term. The Dockers comprehensively lost clearances in all of four games where Serong was restricted this season. But Longmuir denied his team relies on Serong and Brayshaw to be the keys to victory. 'We had the same team out there in the first half as the second half and won the clearances in the second half,' he said. Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir. Credit: Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos / via Getty Images 'Caleb was still out there in the second half and we were plus-five for clearances in the second half. It was the same personnel so I'm not concerned about that.' Despite entering the game as one of the AFL's form teams, the loss saw Fremantle fall from sixth to ninth in a reminder of how tight this season is at the top. Jye Amiss in action. Credit: Darrian Traynor / Getty Images But Longmuir said the squad wouldn't be letting the ladder dictate their emotions as they prepare for a Saturday night clash against Hawthorn at Optus Stadium. 'It wasn't as though we were going to go through the rest of the season and not lose. We were probably hoping that but it's a bit unrealistic,' he said. 'A loss was going to come. We'll review it the same as we reviewed our six wins, get better and try to beat Hawthorn next week. I'd imagine we're a game out of the four. We lost a game. We're not out of it. We'll keep fighting.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store