Updated August 16, 2017 13:55:54

Photo: James Kelly played his 300th game against his old club, Geelong. (AAP: David Crosling)

Essendon veteran James Kelly will retire at the end of the AFL season as a three-time premiership player.

Kelly joined the Bombers in 2016 after winning the 2007, 2009 and 2011 flags with Geelong.

He was recruited to top up the Bombers' squad after 12 players were banned for doping last year.

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The 33-year-old proved a strong acquisition in 2016, finishing club champion runner-up.

He has played 37 of his 310 AFL games for the Bombers.

Kelly was taken at pick 17 in the 2001 AFL draft that included the likes of Luke Hodge, Chris Judd, Jimmy Bartel, Gary Ablett Jr, Dane Swan, Nick Dal Santo, Steve Johnson and Sam Mitchell.

Hodge, Johnson and Mitchell have already announced their decisions to retire at the end of this season.

Kelly, who made his debut in 2002, was an All-Australian in 2011 before being let go by the Cats in 2015.

"I feel really fortunate that I've been able to play for two great clubs," Kelly said.

"I feel eternally grateful I've been able to experience the highs and lows of footy."

Coaching on the cards for Kelly

He said his two-season spell with the Bombers has rejuvenated his love for the sport and made Kelly eager to become a coach.

"It's something I really want to do and need to do," he said.

"I feel like I can add value and I'll be looking down the coaching path … hopefully I can get a job somewhere."

Bombers boss John Worsfold said over the past two years, he had seen Kelly's passion for mentoring young players grow.

"[Last year we were] trying to make sure we were going to have some success in different ways other than how many games we were going to win — Kel had a massive role in that," he said.

"He hadn't made a decision to pursue a coaching path when he retired the first time from Geelong but his excitement about working with those young players … has really excited him about what he can add to the game."

AAP/ABC

Topics: sport, australian-football-league, essendon-3040, geelong-3220, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted August 16, 2017 12:31:35