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.

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.