Football’s drawn-out supplements saga has finally been put to bed.

The AFL Commission’s decision on Tuesday to jointly award the 2012 Brownlow Medal to Richmond’s Trent Cotchin and former Hawthorn star Sam Mitchell put a full stop at the end of a 1379-day nightmare for the league.

Essendon midfielder Jobe Watson – who was banned for the entire 2016 season over doping offences – handed back the game’s highest individual honour on Friday.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said while it was a tough issue, there was a sense the unprecedented ruling marked a key moment in the long-running Essendon supplements debacle.

“This is a day that holds no specific joy for anyone,” McLachlan said on Tuesday.

“Clearly, that feels like it’s the last decision this commission will have to make (on the Essendon scandal) – I don’t know if relief is the right word.

“If there’s a silver lining today, that’s it.”

AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick repeated his stance that the Essendon scandal was a “stain on the game” and added it was a great pity that Watson should lose the Brownlow.

He praised the Essendon star for his decision to give up the medal, saying it was noble.

“In respecting the values of the competition and putting the interests of the game before his own, Jobe has shown his commitment to fair play – the qualities of a champion,” Fitzpatrick said.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan and Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick speak to the media to announce the 2012 Brownlow Medal winners. Photo: Getty

“The impact of this decision on him and his family is one of great sadness for the game.”

The status of Watson’s Brownlow was always in doubt once the Court of Arbitration of Sport ruled against him and 33 other Essendon players in January over doping charges.

Watson was one of 12 current Essendon players who were banned from playing this season.

The AFL held off on its Brownlow ruling while the 34 players made a last-ditch, Swiss legal challenge to clear their names.

That appeal failed last month, clearing the way for Tuesday’s landmark decision.

Brownlow function to be held in Melbourne

Mitchell, now at West Coast, and Cotchin will receive their medals next month at a ceremony in Melbourne, as part of the commission’s December meeting.

“Sam and Trent are deserving Brownlow medallists for the quality of their play in 2012 and the commission wished to pass on the congratulations of the entire football community for their performances,” Fitzpatrick said.

Sam Mitchell (L) can now add a Brownlow Medal to his four premierships.

Cotchin said that he accepted the award with mixed emotions.

“This has been a difficult time for Jobe, but I have great respect for him, and the decision he made in very tough circumstances,” the Tigers captain said in a club statement.

Mitchell also praised Watson in an Eagles statement.

“I’m honoured to be named a Brownlow medallist today but, at the same time, I feel enormous empathy for Jobe Watson and his family,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell and Cotchin were initially joint runners-up to Watson, who polled 30 votes in 2012 to finish four clear of the pair.

How the Essendon saga started

An unexpected February 2013 press conference triggered the entire episode, in which the Bombers announced they were investigating a supplements program, and the almost four years since have dragged on and on for footy fans across the nation.

Instead of hamstrings and reports dominating mid-week headlines, it has been ASADA, Thymosin-Beta 4, WADA, federal court investigations, WorkSafe hearings, AOD-904, showcase notices, independent reports, appeals, Swiss tribunal hearings, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Jobe Watson made the announcement to hand back his medal last week. Photo: Getty

In other words, anything but footy.

However, Tuesday’s decision means the AFL community can now move on from arguably its bleakest period.

The 2017 season will see the return of many of the ‘Essendon 34′ to the field, and no asterix next to the 2012 Brownlow Medal.

Of course, there have been many casualties along the way, most notably disgraced ex-Bombers coach James Hird.

Cotchin is just the Tigers’ fifth Brownlow medallist and their first since Ian Stewart in 1971.

Mitchell, who joined the Eagles last month in a shock trade, is the first Hawthorn player to win the AFL’s most prestigious individual award since Shane Crawford in 1999.

Brownlow 2012 final votes:

30 J Watson (Essendon) – disqualified
26 S Mitchell (Hawthorn), T Cotchin (Richmond)
25 D Swan (Collingwood), S Thompson (Adelaide)
24 G Ablett (Gold Coast)
23 P Dangerfield (Adelaide)

-James Willoughby and Brandon Cohen, with agencies