The former St Kilda and Brisbane Lions player signed for the Essendon District Football League club on Monday night.

Clarke, 28, played 106 AFL games between 2002 and 2010 in an injury-riddled career which ended at the top level with a knee reconstruction last year.

Having recently accepted at a job with the AFL helping indigenous footballers transition into life after the big league, Clarke is looking to re-find a bit of his own love of the game.

Suburban football alongside ex-Brisbane Lions legend and fellow AFL employee Chris Johnson was not a difficult choice.

‘‘Chris is a guy with great character and integrity, I’ve got a really good relationship with him,’’ Clarke said.

‘‘Jono is just a good fit. I know he’s a good coach and I know his coaching style.’’

Clarke ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on January 17 last year while doing pre-season with the Brisbane Lions. He had played one game for his second AFL club in 2010 after being traded by the Saints at the end of 2009.

He had previously missed the entire 2009 season with a knee reconstruction on his left knee.

Clarke was de-listed by the Lions at the end of 2011 and offered a mature-age rookie position with the club, but instead elected to retire and take a job with the AFL.

The role, described as indigenous engagement and transition, is designed to help indigenous players prepare for life after football.

Clarke himself was drafted with pick five by the Saints in the 2001 National Draft from NTFL side St Marys.

Coming back from a knee reconstruction and split tendon in his foot at the end of last year, Clarke said he wouldn’t have made the commitment to playing if he felt he couldn’t give the entire season.

‘‘Hopefully all (the games) at this stage,’’ he said.

‘‘Things with (work) will pop up on weekends but the commitment is to play as many games as I possibly can.

‘‘The body’s feeling okay. I’ve had eight weeks of training myself to get the body right and see If I could make a commitment.

‘‘I wouldn’t have sat down with Jono unless I could say I could push through every game, which hopefully I can.’’

Clarke said training with the Avondale Heights group had a relaxed atmosphere and an environment he felt he would train well in.

‘‘We haven’t spoken about an on-field role yet,’’ he said.

‘‘I’m happy to do what Chris feels will work for the team.’’

Avondale Heights starts its 2012 EDFL A-grade campaign away at Greenvale on Saturday, April 14.