Former Fremantle ruckman Zac Clarke has been delisted by Essendon, opening the door for Subiaco’s WAFL rivals to pounce on the talented big man.

Clarke, who was a dominant force in the Lions’ 2018 WAFL premiership, can not return to Subiaco under new rules designed to equalise the State competition.

Subiaco have been banned from recruiting players from the AFL or other WAFL clubs, other than to replace those leaving the club.

The Lions dubbed the measure the “Zac Clarke rule”, given they made it impossible for the ruckman to return to the club in 2020 after his exit from Essendon was made official on Thursday.

“It is ridiculous,” Subiaco chief executive Peter Capes said earlier this month.

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“It is clear they have targeted Zac Clarke by making it impossible for him to return to the club.”

Under the strict points-based system, Subiaco can only recruit a player with the same value as a departing one. Their highest ranked player is worth 10 points, while Clarke is valued at 12 because he has played 100 AFL games.

The Lions have been told midfielder Josh Deluca, a Subiaco premiership player in 2014 and 2018, can return to the club if he does not earn a new contract with Carlton.

Deluca was recruited to the Blues in the mid-season draft and started 2019 on the club’s list.

Clarke, who played 101 games for Fremantle in 11 seasons, was recruited by the Bombers at the end of his dominant 2018 WAFL season.

He played nine games for the Bombers, who have strengthened their ruck department with the recruitment of former Carlton big man Andrew Phillips.

The Bombers also delisted Trent Mynott, Tom Jok and father-son Jake Long.

“On behalf of the club, I would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to Zac, Trent, Jake and Tuth for their contribution to the red and black,” Essendon football boss Dan Richardson said.

“It is always a difficult time of year saying goodbye to quality people, so we wish all four gentlemen the best for their future endeavours.”