Dean Cox has urged Australian Football Hall of Fame selectors to overlook Ben Cousins’ off-field indiscretions, claiming he should have been an “automatic walk-up” when eligible four years ago.

There’s no denying the 2005 Brownlow medallist, six-time All-Australian and four-time John Worsfold medallist’s on-field contribution to the game.

But Cousins’ life spiralled out of control towards the end of his 270-game AFL career, as a well-publicised battle with drug addiction saw him dumped by the Eagles and banned for 12 months for bringing the game into disrepute.

The 41-year-old’s fall from grace has been a heartbreaking tale, with several stints behind bars for various drug and stalking offences since retiring from the game in 2010.

He is in custody on remand after pleading not guilty to his latest charges. His bail was denied and his case was adjourned for six months.

Cox, who was inducted into the Australian Hall of Fame during the week, said his West Coast premiership teammate’s on-field achievements were more than worthy enough to earn the elite honour.

“I’d love to see Benny (inducted), from a footy perspective he should be an automatic walk-up as soon as he was eligible for what he did on the football field,” he said on ABC Grandstand.

“Hopefully they can see that at the end of the day and hopefully get him in as soon as possible because unfortunately some decisions off the field haven’t been the best for Ben but he was unbelievable on it.”

The towering ruckman and West Coast games-record holder formed one of the greatest on-ball brigades the game has ever seen alongside midfield superstars Cousins, Chris Judd and Daniel Kerr.

They were a huge part of West Coast’s dominant era which included back-to-back grand final appearances and a flag in 2006.

Cousins played the 238 games of his career as an Eagle before a lifeline at Richmond, where he spent two seasons.

But the “integrity” and “character” criteria appear to have kept him out of hall-of-fame contention.

“I think it’s been like that for a little bit, where some off-field indiscretions has probably restricted them and Ben is another example of that,” Cox told ABC Grandstand.

Dual Brownlow medallist Chris Judd is almost certain to be the next former Eagle to be inducted into the hall of fame when he is eligible next year.

Two-time premiership captain and flag-winning coach John Worsfold and champion defender/long-serving skipper Darren Glass are also among the club’s strongest contenders.