Sydney Swans great Adam Goodes has turned down a major honour in the state where he cemented himself as one of football's all-time greats.

The NSW Australian Football Hall of Fame will induct its inaugural list of 100 players, coaches, umpires, administrators and media personalities at a gala dinner in May.

Goodes has chosen against being one of them.

The Swans great played 372 games, collected two Brownlow Medals, two premierships and four All Australian selections for what was, until the final years of his career, the only VFL/AFL side in the state.

The Indigenous Team of the Century member is a standout admission from the intake.

Goodes' former teammates and fellow champions Brett Kirk, Jarrad McVeigh, Paul Kelly, Tony Lockett, Leo Barry and 2012 premiership coach John Longmire were among those recognised after careers in red and white.

The list extends to include other NSW products, such as the Daniher family.

Sir Doug Nicholls, recognised from the Murray region, and local goalkicking machine in the Central Coast-Hunter region Maurice Goolagong are two Indigenous inaugural inductees of the Hall of Fame.

To go with the already named list of 100, ten Legends will be announced in the debut induction.

Goodes - originally from South Australia - starred for his team and helped build the code's standing in league-friendly New South Wales.

AFL NSW/ACT chief executive Tiffany Robertson said on the eve of the 2024 season and inaugural Opening Round kicking off at the SCG "the time is now to put our flag in the ground and formally celebrate the 140-plus years of football in this state and all the people who have contributed so much to make this game great".

Goodes was approached in recognition of his contributions.

"Adam is a great champion and leader of our game who made an immeasurable impact on Australian rules football in NSW," a spokesperson for AFL NSW/ACT said, via News Corp.

"AFL NSW/ACT has reached out to Adam regarding the NSW Australian Football Hall of Fame and will respect his choice regarding his induction."

While the specifics of this decision are unknown, Goodes has largely stayed away from the football limelight since his exit from the game, having confronted racism in the game with, in his view and the view of many others, very little support from the league.

He has dedicated much time and effort to the GO Foundation, which he co-founded with Swans legend Michael O'Loughlin.