FORMER Melbourne captain Jack Grimes accepts his AFL career is over and will turn his back on huge interest from VFL clubs to play local football in Melbourne.

Delisted by Melbourne at the end of the 2016 season, Grimes, 27, decided not to nominate for the national and rookie drafts after being overlooked in this year's delisted free agency periods despite some clubs' interest in selecting him as a mature-age rookie.

Grimes' manager, Anthony McConville of Mac's Sports, told AFL.com.au his client had reconciled himself to the fact his AFL career was over after the third and final delisted free agency period closed last Sunday.

"Some clubs had a real interest in taking Jack as a rookie but he didn't want to do that, so he didn't nominate for the draft," McConville said. 

"Jack also won't play in the VFL next year despite enormous interest. He's now ready to make the transition to life outside AFL football, so he'll play at local level next year with his mates.

"He's not sure where that will be at this stage, but he has a number of ex-Melbourne teammates and old friends playing in local leagues, so he's got plenty of options.

"Jack is very comfortable with where he's at."

Grimes played 100 games in nine seasons with Melbourne. He was co-captain from 2012-14, sharing the role with Jack Trengove from 2012-13 and with Nathan Jones in his final season in charge.

The No.14 pick in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft, Grimes soon established himself as a polished performer across half-back for the Demons, winning a Rising Star nomination in his second season.

He was regularly plagued by soft-tissue injuries, however, and only twice played more than 15 games a season. 

His best season came in 2012, when he played a career-high 21 games and finished runner-up in Melbourne's best and fairest award. 

Grimes started to fall out of favour at the Demons in 2015 and managed just two senior games last season despite outstanding VFL form with the Casey Scorpions.