Editing Wayne Carey (section)

====VFL debut: 1987–1989====
In 1987, Carey was recruited by [[North Melbourne Football Club|North Melbourne]] after their CEO, [[Greg Miller (Australian footballer)|Greg Miller]], met with the [[Sydney Swans]]' football department to discuss the transfer to North Melbourne of [[John Longmire]], a highly regarded junior key-position player. Once that deal was concluded, Miller then inquired about Carey who, like Longmire, was zoned to the Swans due to having lived in New South Wales. He made a token offer of $10,000 as a transfer fee, to which the Swans surprisingly agreed.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=nstore&docID=AGE041204116JD68RJ87|title=Tigers' history backs Miller|first=Rohan|last=Connolly|date=4 December 2004|work=The Age}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,,24288043-5001023,00.html|title=The Australian: Chasing down the Kangaroo|first=Tim|last=Morrissey|date=4 September 2008|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=Australia}}</ref> As a 16-year-old, Carey made the move to [[Melbourne, Victoria|Melbourne]] and played for the North Melbourne under-19s, where he starred in their 1988 premiership side under coach [[Denis Pagan]].<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/163226|pages=40–41|journal=[[Football Record]]|year=1988|issue=Grand Final|title=Under 18 Teams: Grand Final}}</ref> Carey was promoted to the senior list prior to the 1989 season and, after recovering from dislocating his left shoulder in a practice match early in the year, made his first appearance for the seniors as an 18-year-old in round 11 of [[1989 VFL season|1989]] against [[Fitzroy Football Club|Fitzroy]].