North Melbourne president James Brayshaw says it will be an "absolute disgrace" if former Kangaroos champion Wayne Carey is not included in the AFL Hall of Fame.

Carey, the Kangaroos premiership captain in 1996 and 1999, who is regarded as one of the all-time greats of the game, becomes eligible for induction this season.

But the Nine Network reported Carey was set to be overlooked at the May 8 induction ceremony, because of his off-field behaviour since retiring in 2004.

The 36-year-old is facing assault charges in the United States and also recently confessed to a drug and alcohol problem in a television interview.

Along with playing record and ability, the criteria for Hall of Fame induction includes integrity, sportsmanship and character.

"This is very sad because he should almost go straight in as a legend," Brayshaw told the Nine Network.

"A lot of people believe he's the greatest footballer the game's ever seen.

"It's an absolute disgrace that he's not in the Hall of Fame, that's just my opinion."

The debate is similar to that over former Geelong great Gary Ablett, who was overlooked for four years after he became eligible before being inducted in 2005.

Like Carey, Ablett would have been considered an automatic selection if not for his behaviour post-retirement, with Ablett involved in the drug-related death of a 20-year-old female fan in 2000.

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