The AFL has given the green light for Shane Mumford and Zac Clarke to join GWS and Essendon as rookies.

There had been some confusion as to whether the duo could sign with their respective clubs as Category A rookies or if they would be forced to go via the draft.

Ostensibly, the uncertainty stemmed from whether or not the clubs were in a position to rookie list Mumford and Clarke on the basis that a player had either retired or a player had suffered a season-ending injury.

But the AFL moved on Thursday afternoon to clarify the guidelines surrounding rookie-list replacements, and whether or not the former Giant and Docker qualified for such positions.

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“A player who has delisted himself and has not been on an AFL list for one year or more … for example a player who retired in 2017 is eligible to be selected,” a statement said.

The Giants had wanted to rookie list Mumford because of the loss of Rory Lobb, as well as the injury to Jon Patton.

Essendon, conversely, had a desire to sure up their ruck stocks given Matthew Leuenberger’s sudden retirement.

If signed, Mumford will miss the first two matches of the 2019 season because of a club imposed suspension for a cocaine video that went viral.

Clarke, however, would be free to play from Round 1.