The path to securing some of Essendon’s additional 2016 talent has become a little clearer with the AFL confirming clubs can secure any of the ten players as delisted free agents.

The AFL advised clubs of the move today.

It was initially thought clubs would have to wait until the National Draft to secure the players who were called in on the eve of Essendon’s season.

Now those players can sign with any club from November 1.

“We welcome the move as it gives these players the best opportunity to prolong their AFL career, if that’s something they’re keen to do,” Essendon’s General Manager of Football Operations Rob Kerr said.

“The ten players were delisted free agents last year and every player that is delisted across the competition throughout the next couple of months will fall into the same category, so it’s really quite logical and makes sense that these players be treated the same as everyone else.

“Beyond this decision, my view is that once you are delisted by a club you should become a delisted free agent for as many years as it takes to get back on an AFL list.

"For instance, I think Mitch Brown should have been able to be taken as a delisted free agent last year as opposed to having to be re-drafted. Similarly, any player that was delisted in 2015 and not re-drafted, should be able to taken as a delisted free agent during the 2016 trade period.”

Matt Dea and James Kelly will run out with the Bombers on Saturday against Carlton, but all ten recruits signed since January have featured throughout the season.

John Worsfold paid tribute to the contribution of the ten players during the week and the Club is planning a series of initiatives to acknowledge their contribution throughout the game against the Blues.

“They came here to make sure we weren’t caught short throughout the year in terms of the ability to field a competitive team and they’ve all been wonderful with that,” Worsfold said.

“Their on-field presence has really helped us not expose our younger players to a degree where they were going to physically and mentally fatigue late in the year.  

“We can’t underestimate their on-field value even though they didn’t play every week, but also their off-field value has been immense."