AFTER years of living in the football bubble, retirement for AFL players can be difficult.

But for a number of retirees from the class of 2016 the transition will be seamless, as they take on coaching roles which will keep them rooted in the AFL landscape.

While some rivals have poached players for their intellectual property, many retirees will remain at the same club.

Here’s a list of the players who just can’t say no to footy.

Finals Week 1

Ben McGlynn (Assistant coach at St Kilda)

Only three weeks after announcing his retirement, McGlynn accepted an assistant coaching role at St Kilda.

The 31-year-old won’t go into the role completely untried, having some experience with the Swans’ NEAFL side, as well as the under-16 team. McGlynn will work closely with St Kilda’s younger players.



“After playing footy in Sydney for the past seven years, I’m really excited at the challenge of stepping into a new environment, a new club and meeting new people,” McGlynn told St Kilda’s website.

“I’ve had some exposure to coaching, so I feel like the development role is a great fit for me and I’m looking forward to working with the younger boys.”

Ben McGlynn is St Kilda bound. Photo: Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Jed Adcock (Role still to be finalised at Brisbane)

The former Brisbane skipper will return to his roots to assist on Chris Fagan’s coaching panel.

Adcock played the last year of his career at the Western Bulldogs, after Brisbane delisted the veteran at the end of 2015. He played in the Bulldogs’ VFL premiership side.

“The year away has done a lot of good for me,” Adcock told Brisbane’s website.

“I learnt a lot about myself and a lot about footy and where the game is at now. Even though I didn’t play in the (Grand Final), it was still great to be part of the club.

“Hopefully I can pass on some of that knowledge and the learnings from that to support the club.”

Corey Enright (Assistant coach at Geelong)

Geelong’s games record holder transitioned seamlessly from player to coach, accepting a role at the Cats almost immediately after retirement.

Enright, 35, will replace Blake Caracella — who has taken up a role at Richmond — on Geelong’s coaching panel.

Coach Chris Scott was keen to enlist the help of the respected Enright, who has been exposed to premiership winning intellectual property.

It’s understood Enright’s role will initially revolve around development.

Nathan Van Berlo (Development coach at Adelaide)

The former Adelaide skipper will remain at the Crows as a development coach in 2017, where he will play a major role in the club’s leadership program.

Van Berlo retired at the end of 2016, after 205 games.

Andrew Walker (Development coach at Carlton)

Carlton didn’t waste any time in snapping up one of its favourite sons, signing Walker on to its coaching panel for 2017.

Walker, 30, will work closely with the draftees at the club.

“Andrew’s core responsibilities will involve assisting the first-year players’ transition into the AFL system, which is a really important process, as well as working alongside fellow development coaches, Mathew Capuano and Josh Fraser,” Carlton footy boss Andrew McKay said.

“‘He was a key part of the leadership group this season so Andrew’s ability drive and set high standards at the club will be really beneficial.”

Andrew Walker will remain at the Blues. Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Nick Malceski (Assistant coach at Gold Coast Academy)

The 2012 Sydney Swans premiership hero retired at the end of the season to take up a coaching role at the Suns, where he played his last four seasons of AFL.

Malceski was due to play on until the end of 2017, but injuries cut his career short. Instead, he’ll work closely with the Gold Coast Academy.

“I’ve had ongoing knee issues for a while now and to be honest, I couldn’t go on,” Malceski said.

“When reflecting on my year and the direction of the footy club it became clear to me that the time was right to call it a day.”

Troy Chaplin (Forwards coach at Melbourne)

The former Richmond defender joined Simon Goodwin’s coaching panel, after Melbourne’s football manager Josh Mahoney put in a phone call to his former teammate at the end of the season.

Chaplin retired in July, but stayed on at the Tigers in a coaching role.

He joins past players Ben Matthews, Max Rooke, Jade Rawlings, Brendan McCartney and Ben Egan on the Melbourne coaching panel.

Xavier Ellis(Assistant coach at Swan Districts (WAFL))

The 2008 premiership player will remain in the west to take up a coaching role with Swan Districts in the WAFL.

Ellis, 28, played 86 games for Hawthorn before moving to the Eagles in 2014.

Swan Districts coach Greg Harding told Newscorp he was thrilled to have Ellis on board.

“Having played under Alistair Clarkson and Adam Simpson throughout his playing career, he will add an enormous amount to both the playing and coaching group next year,” Harding said.

Brent Harvey(Mentoring role at North Melbourne)

The game’s record holder will return to Arden Street for at least two seasons in a mentoring capacity, where he will work closely with the young brigade of Kangaroo midfielders.

Harvey, 38, will continue to work with “Harvey’s Heroes”, a clinic for kids from the ages of four to 14. He will also work with North’s Next Generation and Father-Son academies.

“I’m really happy to be returning to Arden Street,” Harvey said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the next generation of players come through and really start making their mark on the competition.”

Boomer’s back! Photo: Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Daniel Merrett(Mentoring role at Brisbane)

The 200-game defender won’t be leaving the Lions just yet.

Merrett has agreed to help out Brisbane in 2017, primarily as a mentor to the young defenders.

He will also perform a welfare role.

Dennis Armfield (Assistant coach at Carlton’s women’s team)

The cult hero will not only play for the Blues in 2017, but perform a part-time coaching role with Carlton’s inaugural women’s team as a specialist skills coach.

“I think these talented female footballers have so much to offer and I can’t wait to play a small role in this exciting new competition,” Armfield told the club’s website.

Jimmy Bartel

The highly decorated Cat hasn’t officially been signed on at any club, but there’s little doubt he’ll be snatched up before the 2017 season.

Bartel has been linked with Carlton, Richmond and Melbourne.