Bickley, 39, became just the second Crow, behind former teammate Darren Jarman, and the first of the 52-strong inaugural squad of 1991 to receive the prestigious honour.
The unassuming midfielder played 272 games with Adelaide between 1991 and 2003 and remains the club’s only premiership captain, having held the cup aloft in both 1997 and 1998.
It was business as usual for Bickley at training on Friday, but he said he was still coming to terms with the magnitude of his achievement.
“It’s one of the few individual rewards that I’ve received, so it rates very highly,” Bickley said.
“It really hit home when I saw the quality of people who were inducted into the Hall of Fame in the room last night. It’s just an amazing honour.”
Bickley, who never won a best and fairest award throughout his career, said he had team success to thank for his induction.
“Me getting the award has a lot to do with the fact that we were a successful organisation for a couple of years,” he said.
“I owe a lot to the people who were around at that stage and our coach Malcolm Blight. You can’t do it without your teammates and I’ve been blessed to have had some very good ones along the way.”
Bickley said he was surprised to learn he would be inducted into the Hall of Fame just six years after hanging up the boots.
“You could’ve knocked me over with a feather. I got the letter about two weeks ago and it’s a tough one because you’re sworn to secrecy, so you can’t share it with anyone except the people that are really close to you,” Bickley said.
“There was a lot of anticipation and last night was pretty overwhelming. There were a couple of guys inducted who were in their late-70s and one gentleman might’ve even been in his 80s.
“I was very grateful to be inducted as a recently retired player.”
Bickley was one of two South Australians to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.
Glenelg premiership ruckman Peter ‘Super’ Carey was finally recognised for his outstanding contribution to the game, which included an Australian record 448 games.
Carey also represented South Australia on 19 occasions and won three premierships with the Tigers.
Bickley said it was an honour to be inducted alongside one of South Australia’s greatest-ever footballers.
“I think I actually played against Peter Carey and growing up as kid I certainly have memories of him playing,” Bickley said.
“He has an amazing record - 448 games - and he mentioned last night that he missed five through injury and five through suspension over 18 or 19 years.
“That’s quite an amazing record for a big bloke playing in one of the toughest positions on the ground.”
