Cousins has been employed by Channel Seven reading the sports news in Perth and is slated to appear on Seven’s Dancing with the Stars, having previously worked part-time at his former club, the Eagles, who have been pleased to see him showing signs of good health following his longstanding battles with drug abuse.

Cousins retired from the AFL in 2010, following two years at Richmond. As a six-time All-Australian, Brownlow medallist (2005), AFL Players Association most valuable player (2005) and premiership player, he would be a certain inclusion if not for his off-field blemishes.

Cousins, like all players, would be eligible five years after his retirement and he would have gone in almost as soon as he was eligible, if not for his behavioural issues.

While West Coast have not officially nominated Cousins to be in the hall of fame – clubs can nominate their players and coaches, though this is not mandatory to be inducted – the club’s chairman, Paul Fitzpatrick, expressed the view that Cousins should be inducted in an ABC radio interview on Saturday.