Standing Wayne Carey in the ‘90s was one of the toughest jobs in football.
In the 1998 Grand Final, this job was given to Crows defender Peter Caven.
Caven kept Carey to just one goal helping Adelaide claim back-to-back premierships.
The charismatic defender relived the day on The Crows Show.
“Blighty (Malcolm Blight) came to me on the Monday night, we had just beaten the Western Bulldogs fairly convincingly, and he said ‘we are going to play you on Wayne Carey’,” Caven said.
“Look Peter, he’s stronger than you, he’s faster than you, he’s bigger than you, he can kick longer than you,” Blight told Caven.
“I had a bit of a chuckle and thought what do you want me to do?” Caven said.
“Blighty was very positive, all through his coaching he wanted his defenders to play in front but for this particular game he wanted me to play from behind because they were running ‘Pagan’s Paddock’.”
“Play him from behind, don’t get in a wrestle because he will be too strong for you so bring the ball to ground and let’s be attacking,” Blight told Caven.
The plan worked.
Caven did exceptionally well to quell Carey’s influence on the game but he wasn’t necessarily all that confident heading into the game.
“My whole mindset for that game was to make sure he didn’t win the Norm Smith on me and let my teammates down,” Caven said.
“Once that final siren went the feeling was unbelievable knowing that you’d won it back-to-back.”
Carey finished the game with just one goal and five marks.
Caven ended the day with 20 disposals of his own including six rebound 50s.
