When the Australian Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony is held on Thursday in Melbourne, Collingwood champion and media extraordinaire, Lou Richards, will not be elevated to ‘Legend’ status.

Collingwood requested this year for the Hall of Fame committee to waive the strict eligibility criteria for legend status, a request the AFL took to the committee. 

Richards, who played 250 games for Collingwood (1941-55) and captained the side to the 1953 premiership, was denied approval of legend status by the committee and instead offered a special Lifetime Achievement Award which Richards has declined.

A statement issued by the AFL on Monday night sought to clarify why Lou Richards will not be elevated to Hall of Fame Legend status. 

“Under the charter of the Australian Football Hall of Fame established by the AFL Commission, a person may only be considered for ‘Legend’ status based on either their playing or coaching record, but not for their contribution as a media representative, umpire or administrator. Richards, who was one of the inaugural inductees in 1996 when the Hall of Fame was commissioned, had not been considered eligible for Legend Status by the Hall of Fame selection committee.”

While Richards’ playing career is exemplary, his role in the media, many believe give him the right to be elevated as a legend.

“Louie the Lip” has been involved in the AFL media for over half a century with roles in the Herald Sun, 3DB, Channel 7 and Channel 9.

AFL Hall of Fame rules stipulate that no more than 10 per cent of Hall of Fame inductees can be ‘legends’. Currently 22 of the 219 Hall of Fame members are legends.

Click HERE to view the AFL Hall of Fame page on afl.com.au.

Should Lou Richards be elevated with ‘Legend’ status in the AFL Hall of Fame?

Does his media career warrant elevation?

Have your say in this week’s Magpie blog!