Three years after Alastair Clarkson blasted the Essendon supplements debacle for ambushing the AFL, he says it's time to welcome back James Hird.
The four-time Hawthorn premiership coach, one of the game's most influential figures, is happy for Hird to present the Norm Smith Medal this year at the grand final.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick, a teammate of Hird's when the Essendon captain won the medal in the 2000 grand final, also has backed the move.
It is Hird's turn to present the medal and the AFL has sent him an official invitation.
Hird is in Europe and is yet to see the letter, but has expressed enthusiasm about the role.
While Hird's involvement will be nothing more than a rostering quirk, it will be symbolic and controversial.
Hird was a key figure in the supplements saga and served a 12-month AFL suspension.
When the scandal was raging, Clarkson went public with his concerns.
He had briefed the AFL Commission about his thoughts on a reform of coaching, to help ensure that the scandal could never happen again.
On Friday, Clarkson was rapt that Hird could return to the game after a two-year exile.
"Hirdy has been a wonderful servant of the game," Clarkson said.
"Any time he wants to come back into the fold and he's welcomed back into the fold, that's great for footy.
"Things turned a little bit sour in the last three or four years, but at some point in time I hope we can put all that behind us and just get on with it."
Hardwick said the AFL community should welcome Hird back.
"He's a great leader and a great friend of mine. From my point of view, (we should) wrap your arms around him and bring him back in," Hardwick said.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said the commission discussed whether Hird should present the medal.
"There was only one answer," McLachlan said.
"It was pretty clear."
The AFL boss also hopes fans at the grand final would welcome Hird back.
"It has the potential to be a significant wrapping of our arms around James. It might not," he said.
"I'm an optimist."
Former ASADA chief executive Richard Ings also said Hird had served his suspension and was entitled to present the award.
"James Hird has not been found guilty of a doping offence under the AFL anti-doping rules," Ings told AAP.
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