The AFL has been forced to issue a public apology to a former player and his family who was incorrectly mourned at the Australian Football Hall of Fame dinner on Tuesday night.

Hawthorn premiership player Michael Porter was included in the ‘in memoriam’ segment of the night, where the league pays tribute to members of the AFL community who have died in the past 12 months.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: John Kennedy sends cheerio to ‘deceased’ premiership teammate.

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Porter is alive and well at 79 years of age.

Once it became aware of its error, the AFL moved quickly to apologise to the family.

“Once this innocent mistake was realised we moved quickly to ring and apologise to everyone affected, including Michael, and thank him for his understanding,” a league spokesperson said.

Hawthorn premiership player John Kennedy Jr got a fright when he saw his old mate’s name come up on the screen, but soon saw the funny side of it as a guest on The Front Bar.

“That ‘71 team, obviously a famous team and a very important team in Hawthorn’s history — I believe, John, you have a cheerio that you’d like to give to one of the players,” Front Bar host Sam Pang said to Kennedy.

Kennedy replied: “I’d like to send one out to Michael Porter, who played in the ‘71 grand final, Mick. ‘Portholes’ they called him.

“He was noted as deceased last night (at) the (Australian Football) Hall of Fame — he was one of the deceased people.

“The issue is he’s alive. So, Portholes, if you’re listening, mate, or you’re up there in New South Wales, let us know when the wake is because we’ll be all there, mate!”

Porter played 78 games and kicked 59 goals for the Hawks between 1966 and 1972 — almost entirely under iconic coach John Kennedy Sr.

The Hall of Fame night largely belonged to another Hawthorn great in Jason Dunstall, who was elevated to Legend status.

Dunstall’s elevation as the game’s 32nd Legend was confirmed in April.

A four-time premiership player with Hawthorn, Dunstall kicked 1254 goals in a glittering 269-game AFL/VFL career before injuries forced him into retirement in 1998.

Only Tony Lockett (1360) and Gordon Coventry (1299) are higher on the competition’s all-time list of leading goal-kickers.

Dunstall was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002, as soon as he became eligible.

– With AAP