Delisted Essendon forward Alywn Davey has signed with Darwin club NT Thunder. Source: News Limited
AXED and retired AFL players will pull on the boots interstate, in the bush and in the suburbs in 2014.
From the VFL to the top end, former stars are finding being shown the door by an AFL club can open others in unexpected places.
Not all were as lucky as the likes of Paul Chapman, James Podsiadly and Maverick Weller, who will wear new AFL colours in 2014 after being snapped up by a top-tier rival.
But the beneficiaries of the brutal AFL meat market are often clubs at lower levels - sometimes surprisingly low levels - who can promote their new signings to bring fans through the turnstiles.
There will be plenty of familiar names in the VFL next season, headed by former VFL star James Magner, who is back at Port Melbourne after 15 minutes (and 19 games) of fame with Melbourne.
There was controversy and success in equal measure, both on and off the field in what was an enthralling 2013 AFL season.
Former teammate Tom Couch has signed with Collingwood's VFL outfit while Werribee has snared ex-Docker Jesse Crichton and former Kangaroo Ben Speight. Another delisted Docker, Josh Mellington, will line up with Essendon's VFL team.
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Richmond will field a stand-alone VFL side in 2014 for the first time and fans in the Punt Rd terraces will recognise star recruits Aaron Davey, former Saint and Sun Andrew McQualter and delisted Geelong rookie Ryan Bathie.
Troubled former Tiger Dan Connors will play for Port Melbourne.
Other ex-AFL stars will continue their careers in Melbourne's suburbs, with former Magpie Ben Johnson joining Eastern Football League division two side Doncaster Sharks. Up in division one, Jordan Gysberts and Matthew Bate will be running around for Norwood, while reigning Western Region Football League premier Deer Park has two star signings in retired Hawk Brent Guerra and former Carlton and GWS swingman Bret Thornton.
Geurra will be available most weeks to play alongside his brother Luke - and former Bulldogs defender Ryan Hargrave - at John McLeod Oval.
"I've known Brent a long time," Deer Park coach Marc Bullen told the Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay Weekly.
"We played representative footy together back in the under-16s and we would have been mad not to inquire about his services. He adds a terrific amount of experience and we're thrilled to have a player of his ilk.
"He may have a couple of commitments with his junior club (Koondrook-Barham) and down in Tasmania, but he'll put his hand up for selection pretty much the whole season."
Former Brisbane and Gold Coast star Jared Brennan sends Southern Districts into attack in Darwin. Source: News Limited
In the Essendon District Football League, Mal Michael will stay on as coach of Aberfeldie after taking the reins mid-season in 2013, and Adam McPhee takes over from Anthony Rock as coach of Greenvale. There is a strong AFL flavour in the comp with Brodie Holland in charge at Maribyrnong Park and Mick McGuane coaching Keilor.
But the city lifestyle isn't for everyone - and it's no surprise Justin Koschitzke will go back to the bush after pulling the pin on his 200-game AFL career.
He will play 10 games for the Lavington Panthers in the Ovens and Murray League next season, lining up alongside his childhood mates and hopefully getting some enjoyment out of the game again.
Up the highway O & M powerhouse Albury has started its own Irish experiment by signing Setanta O'hAilpin and his brother Aisake.
"I haven't played with my brother since back home," Setanta told Albury's Border Mail.
"Aisake was on the list with me at Carlton for four years but we never got the opportunity to play together and it's been a burning passion of mine. I can't wait."
Retired Saints Stephen Milne (left) and Justin Koschitzke (right) will both continue their careers in country Victoria. Source: News Limited
In Central Victoria controversial former Saint Stephen Milne will add bite to the Strathfieldsaye forward line in the Bendigo League while injury-plagued former Tiger and Blue Andrew Collins will start his coaching career at age 25 with Bridgewater in the Loddon Valley League.
Collins is returning to his roots, living on his parents' farm in the district and coaching his brother Alex. Also in the line-up is former Richmond full-back Will Thursfield, who has signed after two years as playing coach of Leongatha.
Former Cat and Demon Tom Gillies will play for Geelong Football League club St Mary's next season alongside ex-Cat Kane Tenace, who has returned to Victoria from South Australia.
Over the border in the SANFL, former Essendon and Richmond hard nut Sam Lonergan has signed as a playing midfield coach at Glenelg. Axed Carlton players Aaron Joseph and Patrick McCarthy have also joined the Tigers along with ex-Hawk Mitch Thorp, who missed out on a second shot in the AFL draft after dominating the Tasmanian league in 2013.
Former Blue Luke Mitchell will pull on a North Adelaide guernsey, along with axed Lion Jesse O'Brien, while Richard Tambling will play for Sturt and Alex Forster (ex-Freo) and Callum Bartlett (ex-Brisbane) for Norwood.
Former Tiger favourite Shane Tuck has shunned the bright lights of the SANFL to play with SA amateur club Goodwood Saints, largely to play alongside boyhood mate Luke Donaldson.
Further west, one of the biggest names in the WAFL in 2014 will be former Magpie Andrew Krakouer, who has signed with West Perth. South Fremantle has landed former Crow and Demon James Sellar while it's no surprise a clutch of axed Eagles and Dockers will continue their careers in the WAFL, including Ashton Hams and Hayden Schloithe (South Fremantle) and Bradd Dalziell (East Fremantle). Luckless Saint Tom Ledger is set to play for Claremont.
WAFL club West Perth completed a coup by signing Andrew Krakouer. Source: News Limited
They may have played their final AFL game only months ago, but some former AFL regulars are already pulling on the boots in the top end.
Former Lion and Sun Jared Brennan is showing off his tricks for Southern Wanderers alongside former Collingwood and West Coast forward Brad Dick. Ex-Bomber Alwyn Davey has signed with Territory Thunder in 2014 while former Gold Coast excitement machine Liam Patrick will line up for Wanderers.
New Bulldogs assistant coach Joel Corey (left) joins former Geelong teammates Cam Mooney and Matthew Scarlett at the Kennel. Source: News Limited
Some players have stayed in the AFL system as assistant coaches, including Simon Black (Brisbane), Darren Jolly (Collingwood), Joel Corey (Bulldogs), Michael Osborne (Carlton) and Max Bailey (Richmond).
Although proving the itch never truly goes away, Bailey hasn't ruled out pulling on the boots for the Tigers in the VFL.
"My knees might have a say in it," Bailey said.
AFL rejects - where are they now?
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AFL rejects - where are they now?
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AFL rejects - where are they now?
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