Collingwood and Essendon have been granted extensions to Category B Rookie contracts for two players by the AFL for 2023.
Due to the unforeseen circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, the development of the league's rookie players has been hampered, with the AFL now offering flexibility for clubs directly impacted by the "exceptional circumstances".
After being contacted by the league, clubs were able to file for exemptions for Category B Rookie-listed players who have faced disruption to their development.
On Friday, the AFL confirmed Collingwood player Tom Wilson and Essendon's Irish import Cian McBride have been granted extensions to their Category B Rookie contracts for next season.
Rival clubs will still be able to draft either Wilson or McBride at this year's National Draft, however, should no interest arise they will remain at their respective sides for 2023.
"The AFL recently wrote to all clubs regarding exemptions to re-list Category-B players due to exceptional circumstances," a league statement reads.
"Following submissions from clubs, the AFL would like to advise the following:
"Due to COVID throughout 2020 and 2021 and the disruption to development, the AFL has advised Essendon that they can re-list Cian McBride as a Category-B rookie in 2023 for one year should no other cub select them in the 2022 NAB National Draft.
"The AFL will consider any additional reasonable requests from clubs with Category-B rookies whose development has been disrupted due to COVID-19."
Wilson joined Collingwood in May 2019 on a three-year Category B Rookie Deal. The 25-year-old made his debut against Sydney last year and has played seven games at AFL level.
McBride is yet to make his AFL debut with Essendon since joining from County Meath in 2019.
