AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said Essendon coach James Hird, now serving a 12-month suspension for his role in the saga, would be warmly welcomed back to the game at the end of August next year.
"James Hird spoke very well to the commission. He apologised. He is remorseful and he has accepted that his actions contributed to the Essendon Football Club breaching rule 1.6.
"You've heard the AFL say on many occasions this code is a very forgiving code and in accepting James Hird's suspension we've made it very clear that of course he is welcome back into the game."
Demetriou said he was satisfied with the AFL's processes since the Bombers self-reported to the League on February 5.
"It was a very complex issue. There was a very long, lengthy investigation that involved lots of interviews, lots of documents. Lots of forensic investigation and the seizing of mobile phone records. It was a very detailed investigation.
"Once the investigation was underway there was always going to be speculation about what was occurring in this investigation."
Demetriou said the AFL's commitment to protect the integrity of the game was demonstrated by its significant investment in its world-leading integrity unit.
"These are things that are going to be uncovered and we make no apology for not only uncovering it but also dealing with it and that's what the expectation of our supporters is: that this game, that this Commission deals with these matters."
He added that the decision to leave the Bombers out of this year's finals was straightforward for the League.
"This is without doubt the most significant matter that has come before the Commission and perhaps one of the most serious issues that's ever faced the game.
"The Commission needed to give full effect to the rules and regulations of the game to protect the integrity of the game to make sure this never happened again," Demetriou said.
The AFL confirmed late on Tuesday night that Essendon would be placed ninth on the ladder with its tally of 2013 season wins, losses , points for and against, percentage and premiership points all recorded across its 22 premiership season matches, but with an asterisk signalled against its premiership points to denote the club was stood down from the 2013 finals.