The ex-wife of former North Melbourne footballer Anthony Stevens, has spoken out on her controversial past after her son was drafted by the Kangaroos last week.
River Stevens, 18, joined up with his dad’s old team after the Roos snapped him up as pick No 67 in the draft.
His father, Anthony played for North Melbourne between 1989 and 2004, winning two premierships, while returning 127 goals across 292 matches for the club.
Stevens enjoyed a glittering career in football, having been crowned North Melbourne’s Best and Fairest on two occasions and earning himself an All-Australian jacket too.
The footy great would go on to become the captain of the club, taking over from Wayne Carey, after he left the club for the Crows.
His exit came in the wake of an infamous scandal that rocked the club after Carey was said to have had an affair with Stevens’ wife, Kelli.
Anthony Stevens’ former partner, Kelli, has taken to social media to speak of her pride for her son River who signed for North Melbourne last week, but also spoke out on her controversial past
Kelli took to Instagram to speak out on: ‘The past is where it belongs………..behind us’
After her son was drafted to North Melbourne last week, Kelli issued a message on her social media, stating her pride for her son after he had joined up with the Roos, while addressing things that have transpired in the past.
‘I have to share these thoughts and words as has been on my mind for a while now. I feel now is an appropriate time,’ she wrote on Instagram, posting a picture of herself and River smiling, while her son was wearing a blue and white North Melbourne scarf.
‘The past is where it belongs………..behind us.
‘As parents, our choices, challenges, and lessons have shaped us, but they are ours to own and grow from.
‘They do not define our children or their journeys. They are on their own life path.
‘My son, River, is stepping into an incredible chapter of his life with the North Melbourne Kangaroos.’
River is a hard-working small forward who has bags of pace and a great eye for goal.
The creative forward had previously played for the Geelong Falcons in the 2024 Coates Talent League, averaging 14.4 disposals, 4.6 marks and a goal a game.
Carey’s affair with Stevens’ now ex-wife stunned the footy world when they were caught in a toilet at a house party, leading to the two-time premiership captain leaving the club in disgrace. Pictured: Anthony Stevens and his now ex-wife Kelli
‘This is his journey, his dreams, his challenges, his triumphs,’ Kelli continued.
‘Let’s support and celebrate the future he is building for himself, free from the shadows of the past.
‘Life is about learning, growing, and supporting each other to find joy and happiness.
‘The future is full of possibilities, and we all deserve to move forward with hope and positivity.
She ended the message with several ‘love heart’ emojis, adding: ‘Rivers proud Mumma.’
The post comes after Carey had made a series of crude admissions last year about the affair that took place back in 2002, claiming on social media he had slept with Steven’s ex-wife Kelli three times.
He subsequently spoke out on the matter on his podcast, The Truth Hurts, stating: ‘Let’s be honest, we all know what occurred.
He added: ‘Get over it. Twenty years ago.
Wayne Carey made a series of crude admissions about the affair with his team-mate’s wife in 2023
‘I’ve learnt to live with it, I haven’t forgiven myself for it but I’ve learnt to live with it. So all you wankers out there, learn to live with it.’
Carey also opened up on the affair after going on SAS Australia back in 2022.
‘It’s haunted me for over 20 years. I was in self-destruction mode. You know, I guess my life started to unravel,’ he said.
Stevens and Kelli had remained married for six years following the scandal, before divorcing in 2008.
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