Ben Cousins is eligible for the Hall of Fame next season. Picture: Michael Dodge
CHRIS Judd says his troubled former teammate Ben Cousins deserves to be inducted to the AFL Hall of Fame next year, when he becomes eligible for the first time.
Cousins' decorated career sadly has been overshadowed by a turbulent private life that reached its low point when he was banned for a year for bringing the game into disrepute.
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His self-confessed drug addiction threatens to delay his entry to football's prestigious honour roll in much the same way Wayne Carey and Gary Ablett Sr were held back for off-field incidents.
Carey was overlooked for the Hall of Fame for two years, and Ablett was delayed entry by four years.
Judd acknowledged the difficult task selectors faced, but said Cousins' long list of achievements made him a worthy choice.
"In my eyes he'd be in," Judd told the Herald Sun.
"I'm no expert. I don't know who does or doesn't get in. But I would have thought what he achieved on-field would be enough to earn him Hall of Fame status, under the proviso I couldn't tell you what the criteria is for judging it."
Cousins played 238 games for West Coast from 1996 to 2007, establishing himself as one of the game's most relentless and hard-running midfielders, winning a Brownlow Medal and premiership among four best-and-fairests and six All-Australian selections.
He was sacked by the Eagles in October 2007 before Richmond gave him a second chance with 32 games in the following two years.
"He's probably the best player I played with," Judd said. "He did it in a side that was really struggling and in a side that was good and he even did it when he had to change his role a bit.
"He was an amazing player."
The Hall of Fame selection committee considers candidates on the basis of "record, ability, integrity, sportsmanship and character".
It makes a point of declaring games played or years of service is a consideration only and "does not determine eligibility".
2006 Grand Final. Sydney Swans v West Coast Eagles. MCG. Ben Cousins. Picture: Michael Dodge Source:
Players are eligible for induction to the Hall of Fame only once they have been retired for at least three years. Cousins left the game in 2010.
This year's Hall of Fame inductees were Matthew Lloyd, Scott West, Hassa Mann, Brian Peake, Rick Davies and Bryan Sheehan. Royce Hart was elevated to Legend status.
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