Retired Essendon defender Jake Kelly has returned to his old club Mansfield in a coaching role with the local Victorian club for the season ahead.

Kelly called time on his 168-game, decade-long career in the AFL with the Bombers and Adelaide, with the medium-sized defender battling concussion throughout his time in the top flight.

He would feature in the 2017 AFL Grand Final for the Crows, who drafted Kelly as a rookie in 2013. The backman played 110 games for the South Australian club before seeking a move back to his home state via free agency at the end of 2021.

Kelly played three seasons with the Bombers, tallying 58 matches before announcing his retirement at the cessation of the most recent campaign.

The 29-year-old has since signed with Mansfield as a non-playing assistant coach, linking up with the club he represented as a junior.

"Jake Kelly is coming home! After 168 AFL games with Adelaide and Essendon, the former Mansfield junior returns to MFNC as a non-playing assistant coach for 2025," a club post confirmed.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18 Jake Kelly of the Crows handballs in front of Liam Ryan of the Eagles during the round 18 AFL match between Adelaide Crows and West Coast Eagles at Adelaide Oval on July 18, 2021 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

"His knowledge and experience will be a welcome addition to our club and we can't wait to have him back where it all began.

"Welcome back to the next Jake."

Mansfield compete in the Goulburn Valley League and amassed a seventh-place finish in 2024, recording eight wins from their 19 home and away season matches.