Essendon has today made a further change to its playing list, with Dylan Clarke informed he will not be offered a new contract for 2022.

Clarke will have the opportunity to continue pre-season training with the Bombers, however, in the hope of securing a spot as a pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP) signing.

General manager of football Josh Mahoney said Clarke had been a resilient and loyal player in his time at Essendon.

“Dylan has constantly displayed dedication and a team-first approach throughout his time with the club,” Mahoney said.

“While we have made the decision to delist him, we will give him the opportunity to keep training with the playing group with the option to be taken as a pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP) signing.”

A hard-running midfielder, Clarke was taken with pick No.63 in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft. After being delisted at the end of last season, he was reinstated to the Bombers’ list via the 2020 rookie draft.

The delisted free agency period begins on Wednesday, November 3, before the second list lodgement date on November 10.