The Australian Football Hall of Fame, established in 1996 during the centenary year of the AFL, serves to honour the outstanding contributions made to Australian rules football by players, umpires, coaches, administrators, and media personalities.
Starting with 136 inductees, the Hall has grown to include more than 300 members, including 32 "Legends" who represent the pinnacle of excellence in the sport.
Despite the extensive and esteemed list of inductees, several noteworthy players have yet to be recognised with the honour. Here we highlight six exceptional footballers who, despite their remarkable achievements and impact on the game, remain conspicuously absent from the Hall of Fame.
These players appeared to demonstrate the worthy skill, leadership, and dedication throughout their careers and for some, their exclusion is a point of contention, anticipation or misfortune within the football community.
In this piece we will explore the careers of these six deserving individuals who still await their place in the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
6. Ben Cousins
Ben Cousins' story is a testament to the heights of sporting greatness intertwined with the depths of personal struggle. Born into a footballing family in Geelong, Victoria, Cousins' journey to AFL stardom began early.
Joining the West Coast Eagles in 1996, Cousins quickly established himself as one to watch in future years, winning the AFL Rising Star award in his debut season. His electrifying pace, tenacity, and ability to explosively impact games earned him widespread admiration and accolades through the start of his career. He was appointed co-captain in 2001 and later took on the sole duty in 2002, guiding the Eagles through a period of sustained success.
His crowning individual achievement came in 2005 when he clinched the prestigious Brownlow Medal, cementing his status as one of the league's elite midfielders. His on-field prowess was matched by his consistency and amplified by his big-game presence, evidenced by multiple selections in the All-Australian Team and his crucial two-goal contribution in West Coast's 2006 Grand Final triumph.
Off the field, however, Cousins battled demons that threatened to overshadow his footballing brilliance. His struggles with substance abuse and the subsequent personal controversies cast a dark shadow over his career.
He departed West Coast amid a tumultuous period in 2007 and faced a series of personal and legal setbacks. His journey through rehabilitation and football comeback with Richmond in 2009 did showcase a commitment to the sport he loved, however and his retirement in 2010 at 32-years-old capped off a cherished and complete career.
Beyond his playing days, Cousins' candidness about his battles with addiction and his efforts to raise awareness through projects like the documentary "Such is Life" reflect a desire to make a positive impact beyond the game. His story serves as a cautionary tale and a source of inspiration for many, illustrating the complexities of fame, adversity, and redemption.
