Transgender footballer Hannah Mouncey has won her long-running battle with the AFL to play in the women's game.

The AFL ruled on Tuesday that Mouncey will be allowed to play in state leagues around Australia during the 2018 season.

But the decision has prompted a backlash from trolls who have been sending vile messages to Ms Mouncey - who responded by naming and shaming and reposting pictures of their posts on Twitter.

Hannah Mouncey has been allowed to play women's football after the AFL lifted her ban from playing in state leagues

In a statement, the AFL lifted the ban on Ms Mouncey from playing in women's teams and said it will continue to work on a gender diversity policy at a national level.

It said it 'strongly encourages' making sure trans players are included at the community level of the game.

Ms Mouncey is not eligible for the AFLW season this year after a ruling last October banned her from entering the draft.

But she can apply for a chance to be drafted to a side in 2019.

She had been playing football in the women's league in Canberra and it means she could now return to play for Ainslie in the ACT league or play in the VFL Women's league in Victoria.

Ms Mouncey released a statement and video on her social media pages including Twitter 'welcoming the decision' and thanking supporters.

The 28-year-old was blocked from the draft to play in the 2018 AFLW season but can apply to be eligible again next year

But she said it would not be appropriate for her to thank the AFL for making the decision.

'I will not and I think it would be highly inappropriate for me to thank the AFL for allowing me to do something open to every other Australian, which the science and research supported all along.

'Had we simply gone by the research at the start we could have avoided the whole saga which has taken place completely.

'I am, however, grateful that they took the time to look at this situation property, as it is complex and took all the relevant advice on board that was provided.'

In a statement on Tuesday night, Mouncey thanked supporters but stopped short of thanking the AFL

AFLW player Meg Hutchins shared her support for Mouncey with this message on Twitter

Meg Hutchins, who plays in the AFLW for Collingwood, shared her support following the league's decision today.

She applauded Mouncey's 'courage and perseverance' during the debate.

Mouncey added the 'circus that has ensued' about her questions of her ability to play highlighted two concerns.

'This includes the very much understandable lack of knowledge and understanding around the science involved around gender transition.

'But more importantly and worryingly, it showed a disturbing willingness by those who don't understand it to dismiss research and evidences which has been through the most rigorous scientific checks.

'Had we simply gone by the research at the start we could have avoided the whole saga,' Mouncey said

'This seems to be the only area of medicine where people with no background are more than willing to dismiss the advice of experts simply because it does not necessarily match what they were brought up to believe.'

Previously known as Callum before her transition, Mouncey was part of the national men's handball side which competed to qualify for the Rio Olympics.

She stood at 190cm tall and a muscular 100kg with strength and body mass test results 'off the charts'.

However, the athlete started hormone therapy to become a woman in 2015 and was previously found within the testosterone limits permitted by the International Olympic Committee, which the AFL has adopted for transgender athletes.

Mouncey (in the yellow) stood at 190cm tall and a muscular 100kg when she played men's handball before her transition in 2015

Previously known as Callum before her transition, Mouncey was part of the Australian men's handball side

AFL inclusion and social policy manager Tanya Hosch said: 'We are committed to inclusion and want all Australians to be able to play or participate in our game.

'These are complex issues and we are considering expert opinion, international frameworks and feedback from the communities that are impacted by our decisions.'

She added: 'The stats that went to the AFL showed that my strength was very much achievable for women born female. These medications are powerful. [I] would not have been tallest or heaviest in AFLW.'

The announcement made by the AFL on Tuesday evening prompted several negative reactions from people being sent to Ms Mouncey.

The announcement made by the AFL on Tuesday evening prompted several negative reactions

Ms Mouncey decided to name and shame the trolls via her Twitter page including some extremely aggressive posts

But she has hit back at the trolls and in a series of tweets following the announcement, she posted pictures of the messages she had received.

Most of them criticised the decision by the AFL and said Mouncey shouldn't be allowed to play in the AFLW.

One said: 'We don't want you playing against women, total ******* joke.'

Ms Mouncey has responded to the comments with a sense of sarcasm. She replied initially to one: 'As I said the other day, all trolls end up here. Thanks for the support.'

Another troll said: 'You're a flog **** thanks for kicking off the 2018 season with an uproar. Defining a bloke as a chick is enough already but bringing it to sports is a whole lot more. You are clearly biologically a ******* dude and will have a clear advantage over every other chick. **** off ****. I hate you.'

Ms Mouncey's response was characteristically dry-humoured: '[He] seems like a good bloke too.'

'As I said the other day, all trolls end up here. Thanks for the support,' Mouncey said of this message