AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou believes Wayne Carey is certain to be inducted into the Australian football Hall of Fame despite being overlooked the first year he was eligible.

Eight new individuals were inducted at Crown Casino last night and one existing member, Carlton great Alex Jesaulenko, was elevated to Legend status.

But Carey, a two-time North Melbourne premiership captain, who played 272 matches for the Kangaroos and Crows between 1991 and 2004, was overlooked by selectors.

"I'm sure he will enter the Hall of Fame," Demetriou told radio 3AW this morning.

"He's one of the great players. He'll deal with whatever he's got to deal with now."

The Hall of Fame selectors seemingly referred to the selection criteria relating to the integrity and character of potential candidates and decided the former North Melbourne skipper was not yet worthy of qualification.

Carey faces charges in both Melbourne and the US for allegedly assaulting police and resisting arrest, and has also recently admitted to battling drug use.

Geelong great Gary Ablett senior had to wait four years before he was inducted into the Hall of Fame after the drug-related problems he had in retirement.

Demetriou pointed out that last night's inductees - Des Tuddenham, Gavin Brown, Glen Jakovich, Geof Motley, Kevin Sheedy, Noel Teasdale, Garry Hocking and Tom McArthur - included people whose playing careers ended decades ago.

"You've got to remember there were people inducted last night that haven't played for 35 years. I'm not suggesting Wayne will wait 35 years.

"It was just a great last night to see the various people inducted. Most importantly the people who's careers finished 30 or 40 years ago, to be recognised at this time in their lives and see what it means to them and their families was just very moving.

"On that basis, I've got no doubt that Wayne Carey will be inducted at some point."