Selection criteria A committee considers candidates on the basis of their ability, integrity, sportsmanship and character. While the number of games played, coached or umpired, or years of service in the case of administrators and media representatives, is a consideration, it alone does not determine eligibility. Players must be retired from the game for at least five years before they become eligible for induction (extended from three years in 2015), while coaches, umpires, administrators and media representatives are eligible immediately upon retirement. The committee considers candidates from all states and territories of Australia and from all Australian football competitions within Australia. The following excerpt from the official Hall of Fame website highlights the main criteria used by the committee in selecting inductees to the Hall of Fame: • The Committee shall consider a candidate's outstanding service and overall contribution to the game of Australian Football in determining a candidate's eligibility for induction into the Hall of Fame. • Without limiting clause 5.1, the Committee may consider a candidate's individual record, ability, integrity, sportsmanship and character. • The number of football games played, coached or umpired or the years of service provided shall only be a consideration and shall not be determinative in assessing a candidate's eligibility. • A player, coach, umpire, administrator or media representative involved at any level of Australian Football may be eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame. • Candidates shall be adjudged on the basis of their overall contribution to Australian Football, as opposed to one specific aspect. In 2010, several amendments were made to the selection criteria, with key changes including: • The maximum number of inductees in any single year reduced from eight to six, to increase the emphasis and honour for those inducted. This change was reversed in 2018. • The requirement to induct a minimum of three recently retired players (retired within 10 years of each induction ceremony) reduced to a minimum of two, to ensure older players deserving of induction are represented in proportion. This requirement was removed completely in 2018. • The requirement to have one inductee from the grouping of categories umpire/administrator/media every year changed to a minimum of one from this category every two years. In 2018, the requirement for people in the media or administration categories to have retired was removed. • The Hall of Fame selection committee to be independent from the
AFL Commission. The wording in the charter has been changed so that the selection committee recommends to the commission for "endorsement" rather than for "approval". • Selectors would be appointed for an initial term of three years, with two further opportunities to be appointed for subsequent three year terms (total of nine years). • At least 25 per cent of the selection committee to reside outside of Victoria.
Selection committee The selection committee, as of 2021, comprises the chairman of the
AFL Commission Richard Goyder, Paul Marsh (CEO of the
AFL Players Association), broadcasters (
Michelangelo Rucci, Karen Lyon,
Bruce McAvaney and Tania Armstrong), and former players (
Ross Glendinning,
Graham Cornes,
Michael O'Loughlin and
David Parkin) as well as Mark Genge (statistics/history consultant) and Patrick Keane (secretary). Previous selectors have included
Mike Fitzpatrick,
Kevin Bartlett,
Brendon Gale, historian
Col Hutchinson, and broadcasters
Harry Gordon,
Geoff Christian,
Caroline Wilson,
Tim Lane,
Mike Sheahan,
Patrick Smith,
Dennis Cometti and
Jim Main. == Legends ==