GRASS roots football clubs across Australia are set to reap the benefits of recently retired or delisted AFL players as they embark on their 2018 campaigns.

Others are heading into the coaching ranks at both the elite and local level.

While at least a couple of former AFL listed stars are set to try their hands at other sports both here and overseas.

And some older retired AFL players are moving to new positions in the broader footy industry.

These lists are far from complete, so feel free to help add to them by tweeting us @AFLcomau.

PLAYING FOR FUN

Dane Swan

After a gap year of post-retirement partying, the Magpies' Brownlow medallist is heading home to play for Westmeadows in the Essendon District Football League.

Travis Cloke

After his single season on the Bulldogs list, the new dad is heading back to the suburbs. He's already been training with his older brother Cameron at Hurstbridge in the Northern Football League.

Michael Talia

The former Dog and Swan has headed to the SANFL to line up for Norwood.

Craig Bird

The former Swan and Bomber is set to play for Sydney University in the NEAFL.

Ben Kennedy

At just 23 the former Melbourne and Collingwood midfielder is seen as a valuable commodity for Montmorency in Northern Football League. They’ve signed him for two years.

Taylor Hunt

The 27-year-old former Tiger and Cat is set to play for VAFA side Collegians.

Billie Smedts and Tom Ruggles

These two former Cats are joining Leopold in the GFL, Smedts after a season at Carlton where he played nine games in 2017.

Nick Suban

The Dockers life member will pull on the boots for South Fremantle next year after 156 games over nine seasons at senior level.

Sharrod Wellingham

The 29-year-old Magpies premiership player will join East Perth after failing to find a third AFL club once let go by West Coast.





Ben Howlett

The 124-game Bomber is on the record talking about a return to the WAFL.

Heath Hocking

The former Bomber will lace up his boots with Essendon in the VFL next season and is also looking at player development roles. A passion outside football he may pursue is baking.

Henry Schade and Daniel Gorringe

Two former Suns teammates are joining Balwyn in 2018. Defender Schade comes after a season at Collingwood where he kept Lance Franklin goalless earlier in the year, while ruckman Gorringe played four games in two seasons at Carlton.

Jono Freeman and Jake Spencer

The delisted Lion stays in Queensland to welcome the former Demon, with the pair to play for Aspley in the NEAFL.

Jamie Bennell

Heading back to Melbourne for family reasons, the former Eagle and Demon comes off some stellar WAFL form with Swan districts to join Norwood in the Eastern Football League.

Jarrad Grant

Returning to his junior club, the former Suns and Bulldogs forward will play for Frankston Bombers in the Mornington Peninsula League next season.

Jonathon Griffin and Rhys Palmer

Griffin has signed with WAFL club East Fremantle for the next two seasons, with the Sharks also in discussions with Palmer after he was released from the final year of his contract with Carlton.

BIG DREAMS

Arryn Siposs

Delisted by the Saints at the end of 2015, Siposs has embarked on an American Football punting career at Auburn University.

Wow. What a day. Another announcement coming shortly regarding an ex @afl player we are training. Stay tuned. Where is he going. pic.twitter.com/iWuLI9Af6v — Prokick Australia (@ProkickAus) November 21, 2017

Brandon Jack

While having a kick for Sydney University in the NEAFL, the former Swan has turned his attention to music as the lead singer of 'garage-sounding rock band' The Vitriots. They've released their debut single via Triple J Unearthed called A.B.A.C. Jack’s also on guitar.

Ben Lennon

The 12th pick in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft managed only 21 games for the Tigers, but now he’s set his sights on college in the United States with the dream of becoming a punter.

Jesse White

From the Swans, to the Magpies, and now United. White is training with Melbourne's National Basketball League team in the hopes of igniting a career on the hardwood.

Dennis Armfield

The longtime Carlton cult figure has a roll as Melbourne Roys' ambassador for the Bowls Premier League. He'll also be involved with the Blues' AFLW side again.

INTO THE COACH'S BOX

Steve Johnson

Stevie J is unlikely to have time to pull on the boots in his own right, sliding straight into an assistant coaching role at the Swans.

James Kelly

The three-time premiership Cat, who had a footy rebirth at the Bombers is staying at Tullamarine as a development coach.





Andrew Mackie

The 33-year-old triple premiership Cat is expected to take on a role in recruiting and talent identification with Geelong, using his 15 years of experience to good use.

Ivan Maric

The popular Richmond ruckman will remain with the premiers, working across the coaching and player development departments.

Shane Mumford

A feared ruckman, Mumford will teach his craft to his former teammates at the Giants as a part-time ruck coach.

Sam Mitchell

The champion Hawk's progression into the coach's box has been planned for 12 months and he has assumed his desk in a reworked West Coast coaching department.





Drew Petrie

The former North Melboure star will stay with West Coast after one season on the rookie list, working as senior coach of the club's next generation academy.

Scott Thompson

A dual club champion with Adelaide, the retired midfielder has started his coaching career with rivals Port Adelaide as midfield development coach.

Brent Stanton and Jason Davenport

The former Bombers midfielder and Port Adelaide wingman have both joined Carlton has development coaches.

Tendai Mzungu

The 102-gamer returns to Fremantle – after one year at the Giants – as the club’s next generation academy coach.

Matthew Boyd

It's no surprise the former Western Bulldogs captain was quickly targeted to join Nathan Buckley's coaching staff at Collingwood.

Jeremy Laidler

The 87-game defender has stayed on with Sydney as a development coach after working with the Swans Academy in 2017.

Sean Dempster

After announcing his retirement in April, Dempster has found his way to Hawthorn where he will work in the high-performance department, focusing on the VFL team and academy.

Colin Garland

Another retiree staying with his club, the defender has signed on for a coaching role across a number of areas at Melbourne, including the Demons' VFLW team, next generation academy and the AFL team.





Adam Schneider

The ex-Swan and Saint will coach the GWS Giants’ NEAFL side.

Tony Armstrong and John Northy

Armstrong (Adel, Syd, Coll) will coach Lara in the Geelong Football League, where 74-year-old Northey (coached Syd, Melb, Rich, Bris) will be his director of coaching. Once a powerhouse, Lara has struggled the last few years, and went winless last season.

Ross Smith

The 224-game Kangaroo has had a 17-year career as an assistant coach, but now he's coaching in his own right at the Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup.

Ben Dixon

The premiership Hawk turned Fox Footy commentator is headed to Moorabbin as part-time goalkicking coach.

Nick Daffy

The former Tiger has joined Essendon's VFL program as an assistant coach. He's spent the past 12 months at North Ballarat, but the Roosters have been booted out of the VFL. Before that Daffy, 44, coached St Albans.

INTO THE COMMENTARY BOX

Nick Riewoldt

The St Kilda legend has joined Fox Footy’s team, after working with Channel 7 in the final years of his playing career.

Leigh Montagna

Joey will add to the St Kilda flavor in the media, and has already been trialed as a play-by-play caller for Triple M radio.



