AFL discards: Where are they now?

Former Bomber Kyle Reimers will line up for Perth in the WAFL this year. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

FROM Perth to the Uni Blues in the Victorian amateur league, find out where axed and retired AFL stars will be playing in 2013.

Players fresh from the elite facilities of the AFL are about to report for pre-season training at lower leagues around the country - some lower than others. Here's a run-down of who's playing where.

Retired Geelong champion Matthew Scarlett announced last year he would line up for South Barwon this season in the Geelong Football League.

The 284-game Cats champion said one of his career dreams (presumably behind playing in three AFL premierships) to finish his career at the Swans.

"I feel like I've made the right decision (to retire) and really excited that I'm joining a great club, going from one great club to another, so I'm just excited and ready to jump into it," Scarlett said.

The bad news for opponents is Scarlett says at 33 his body feels great.

Newly-appointed co-coach Casey Tutungi joked Scarlett "might be the swingman for us" while fellow coach James Garvey added: "What's he done, he's played 15 years down at full back? We might throw him forward and see how he goes."

Matthew Scarlett after being announced as a new recruit for South Barwon Football Club. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: Geelong Advertiser

Scarlett will combine his playing duties with a part-time assistant coaching role at the Western Bulldogs - where he'll work with Cam Mooney, Ben Graham and Brad Johnson. Other retirees who will stay in the AFL system as assistant coaches include Brad Green (Carlton) and Josh Drummond (North Melbourne).

Delisted Melbourne forward Matthew Bate and overlooked Gold Coast utility Josh Toy have not given up on their AFL dream, signing with Essendon's VFL side.

But others are happy to pull on the boots in a more relaxed environment.

Lindsay Gilbee, who played 206 games from the Western Bulldogs, knocked back an offer from Wangaratta Rovers to line up with University Blues in the VAFA.

His former Dogs teammates Brodie Moles and James Mulligan will play for Hoppers Crossing out west while Ryan Hargrave has signed with Hillside, a division two side in the Essendon District Football League.

In the top division of that star-studded comp are 2004 All-Australian Adam McPhee (Greenvale), sacked Richmond defender Daniel Connors (Aberfeldie) and delisted Tigers ruckman Andrew Browne (Keilor).

Other former Tigers playing the suburbs next year include Brad Miller (Heidelberg) and Jayden Post (below), who will pull on the Altona Vikings' purple strip.

Former Richmond footballer Jayden Post is returning to his home club Altona in the WRFL. Picture: Mark Dadswell Source: Herald Sun

And there are unconfirmed reports retired Magpie Chris Tarrant has joined Deer Park.

Other players will stick with the main feeder comps in Victoria and interstate in bid to stay on the AFL radar.

Brent Prismall trained with Essendon, Port Adelaide and the Bulldogs in the lead-up to the rookie draft, but didn't get picked.

He'll be under the noses of Dogs coaches at Williamstown, alongside former Collingwood ruckman Cameron Wood. Also in the VFL are former Collingwood and Gold Coast midfielder Sam Iles (Box Hill) and ex-Giant Steve Clifton (North Ballarat).

Cruize Garlett walked out on the Kangaroos in the hope of a new start at another AFL club. He'll be playing for Perth in the WAFL in 2013 ex-Bomber Kyle Reimers - who opted to return home despite an offer to train with Carlton in draft week - and retired Hawk Chance Bateman.

Kyle Reimers celebrates a goal for Essendon. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Also in the Perth comp are axed Saint Brett Peake, who has signed a two-year deal with his former club East Fremantle, delisted Carlton defender Paul Bower (Peel Thunder), former Eagle and Swan Mark Seaby (Claremont) and Brendan Lee, who will line up for East Perth after playing two matches for Essendon late last season.

Ben McKinley is also expected to play for the Royals, while Jay van Berlo (delisted by Fremantle) and Andrew Strijk (West Coast) will stay at West Perth.

Paul Medhurst has come out of retirement (again) and will line up for Claremont.

Across the border in South Australia, former North Melbourne forward Matt Campbell has signed with North Adelaide along with former rookies Daniel Archer (North Melbourne) and Nathan Gordon (Sydney), best known for dropping the F-bomb on live TV after his AFL debut.

Axed Bomber Henry Slattery will play for the Port Adelaide Magpies alongside Jacob Surjan and Liam Jurrah, who Port's AFL cousin has committed to helping through his off-field issues.

Liam Jurrah training with Port Adelaide. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: adelaidenow

Matthew Panos will play for Norwood after failing to crack a senior appearance at the Bulldogs in 2012 and luckless Gold Coast defender Michael Coad has signed with Sturt.

Tasmanian Football League Clarence has won the race for the signature of former Richmond wingman Jeromey Webberley.

"I was really surprised by all the offers," Webberley told The Mercury.

"It was actually hard to make a decision.

"Because I've played at Clarence before -- and all the players there -- that helped me make my decision and was something that got me over the line in the end."

But the prize for the biggest career move goes to Shae McNamara.

The American was playing for Collingwood in the NAB Cup last year. This season he'll play for Sandringham Sabres in the South East Australian Basketball League.

Have you heard of any other ex-AFL players at a local team near you? Let us know by leaving a comment below or contact us on Twitter @superfooty. Here's some early additions:

From @elenib76: @superfooty delisted Hawk Tom Schneider announced on Twitter yesterday he'll be playing for the Vermont Eagles.

@FraserBrierly: @superfooty David Wojcinski signed to play for the Newtown and Chilwell Football Club in the Geelong Football League

@cammudge: @superfooty former collingwood gun Sean Rusling will line up for Adelaide university in its return to division 1 amateur league this season