Goodes declined an invitation to be inducted into the Hall of Fame earlier this year but asked the AFL not to detail his decision or the reasons behind it.

IN OTHER NEWS:

The two-time Brownlow Medallist was driven from football six years ago, citing a "toxic" culture where he was booed at stadiums around Australia for years, born from his stand to call out a teenage Collingwood supporter for using a racist taunt during a game in 2013.

It wasn't until 2019 that the AFL unreservedly apologised to Goodes, admitting it had failed to intervene.

Speaking at Tuesday's Hall of Fame ceremony, Goyder said he understood why the three-time Sydney best-and-fairest rejected his induction.

"Adam Goodes is one of the greatest players in our game's history and has given our game more than it could ever return to him with his service on and off the ground," Goyder said.

"The conclusion to his AFL career with the Sydney Swans was an incredibly difficult period that caused great hurt for Adam and the subsequent time it took for the game to recognise and apologise for this hurt also had a very significant impact."

In 2014, Goodes was named Australian of the Year for his efforts to end racism and his work with Indigenous community programs.

Booing intensified in May of 2015 when Goodes performed an Aboriginal war dance to celebrate kicking a goal and peaked two months later when Sydney teammate Lewis Jetta mimicked a spear-throwing gesture in response to Goodes' treatment by West Coast fans.

Goodes ended his 372-game career later that year and declined to participate in the traditional lap of honour for retiring players on Grand Final day, fearing more booing.

In later apologies, the AFL admitted that at least some of the booing had been racially motivated.

"Our failure to stand with him at the time it was happening and call out what was happening was a stain for our game," Goyder said at the Hall of Fame ceremony.

"We wish only the best for Adam as a husband and father, and leader within our community."

Goodes has previously said he no longer feels a love for football and currently serves as chief executive of the Indigenous Defence & Infrastructure Consortium.

If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.