Regardless of Wayne Carey's status after the AFL Hall of Fame dinner on Thursday night, debate will rage over when he should be inducted.
The two-time North Melbourne premiership captain, arguably the greatest player of his era, ended his playing career in 2004 and under Hall of Fame rules is now eligible for inclusion.
The Hall of Fame selection committee can take into account a candidate's character.
Carey will face Melbourne Magistrate's Court on May 22 to answer three counts of assaulting police and three counts of resisting arrest, following a January 27 incident at his Port Melbourne home.
He also is due to appear in a Miami court on July 21 charged with assaulting police, after he was accused of smashing a wine glass in his girlfriend Kate Neilson's face last October.
He faces two felony charges in the US - one of aggravated battery of a police officer and one charge of resisting arrest with violence.
It is highly unlikely the selection committee would approve Carey's inclusion while he has court matters pending in two countries.
Carey has had a turbulent six years since resigning from North Melbourne in disgrace, over his extra-marital affair with the wife of team-mate Anthony Stevens.
He appeared on Andrew Denton's Enough Rope a few weeks ago to discuss his personal problems.
Based on his football career alone, Carey would be a certain inductee this year and there is little doubt that eventually, he will join the Hall Of Fame.
Geelong star Gary Ablett, another ex-footballer with big off-field problems, had to wait several years until his 2005 induction and the same will probably apply to Carey.
This year, the Hall of Fame function is a key feature of the league's celebrations for 150 years of Australian football.
Victoria will play a composite Dream Team this Saturday night at the MCG in a one-off Hall Of Fame tribute match.
