The AFL's elite players will have to wait longer to go into the Australian Football Hall of Fame after the league's move to alter eligibility criteria.
The greats of the game were previously considered for Hall of Fame induction three years after their retirement but the AFL Commission extended that period on Wednesday to five years.
"The AFL Commission endorsed the view ... that an increase in the eligibility requirements to be named as a member of the Hall of Fame would further increase the prestige around selection," AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said.
"Induction into the Hall of Fame is the final acknowledgement of an outstanding contribution to our game and must continue to be reserved for the most worthy from all parts of Australia."
Adelaide's Andrew McLeod, the Western Bulldogs' Brad Johnson and Port Adelaide's Warren Tredrea were all inducted in 2014 but would only have been eligible to be considered for induction in 2016 under the new rules.
Players who retired in 2012, like Geelong fullback Matthew Scarlett and Brisbane's Luke Power - both triple-premiership players - would previously have been up for induction next year but must now wait until 2018.
Dual Brownlow medallists Chris Judd and Adam Goodes, who both retired this season, will be up for Hall of Fame consideration in 2021.
