FORMER AFL Commissioner Bill Kelty says the first step he will take in the upcoming Australia-wide review of the game from state league to community level is to "talk to people".

Kelty, who departed the Commission last month after 17 years, has been charged with the responsibility of reviewing every aspect of the game below the elite level.

He told AFL.com.au he would be listening closely as he developed a framework for what the game might look like in 2030.

Kelty said although the media rights would underpin the game at the elite level, the review had been triggered by a recognition within the AFL that it was critical competitions below that level flourished too.

"The one thing that we need to do is make sure as the game grows we don't let grassroots footy fall out of that growth cycle," Kelty said.

"It is very important that we continue to invest in it and grow it and it is going to be more important in the future because the population structure is changing."

He said he respected the position of state leagues and the review was about creating opportunities for all levels to be included in a discussion about the game's future.

Kelty said the AFL had identified the need to stabilise the game in traditional areas while investing in the women's game, creating further opportunities for indigenous Australians to be in involved at all levels, and making the game more attractive to multicultural Australians.

"We've invested money but now we've got to transform that investment into people playing the game, so this is a 2020-2030 decision," Kelty said.

"You really need to, every few years, look at grassroots football and how people get to play the elite game."

Kelty said more women should play football, more indigenous people should be involved below the elite level in coaching and administering the game, and that football should be welcoming and attractive for Australians from multicultural backgrounds.

"Sport is a great integrator," Kelty said.

There were 2690 football clubs throughout Australia in 2014 with 331,000 players.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan is understood to be keen for a second tier women’s competition to be established as soon as is practical and for the talent pathway to provide all Australians with the best chance to play football at the highest standard they are capable.  

AFL coaches recently expressed concern about the growing gap between lower level competitions and the AFL while the captains discussed the concept of a national reserves competition.

Kelty has heard all the talk but he is going into the review with an open mind and a blank sheet.

"The first thing is we go and talk to people," Kelty said. "Always talk to people first."