Former Essendon midfielder David Zaharakis, who first lept to fame on ANZAC Day in 2013, hopes to reach similar heights again by joining reality TV. 

Zaharakis linked up with local club Bundoora at the start of 2022 and has been a vital player in the side's hunt for the finals, with the Bulls currently sitting in third on the North Football Netball League (NFNL) ladder.

He will miss the rest of the season, including a likely finals campaign, with filming for the show to go ahead as early as next week, with Zaharakis unable to divulge which reality show he will join after signing a non-disclosure agreement. 

Teammates missing his presence include former AFL players Sam Lloyd and Neville Jetta. Lloyd joined the club at the beginning of 2021, while Jetta has been at Bundoora since the start of the 2022 NFNL season. 

As revealed by The Herald Sun, Zaharakis has been forced to put a hold on his stint with Bundoora.

"While it hurts from an on- and off-field perspective with everything he adds, we totally respect his decision as well," Bundoora coach Michael Ryan told The Herald Sun. 

Ryan acknowledged that "it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity", with Zaharakis' local club venture potentially over, with the club conceding "we're not sure when he'll come back or if he'll come back."

PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA - MARCH 13: David Zaharakis of the Bombers looks to pass the ball during the NAB Challenge AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Essendon Bombers at Domain Stadium on March 13, 2016 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Media/Getty Images) (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

Zaharakis isn't the first former AFL star to sign up for a reality TV program, joining a fast-growing list.

AFL great Nathan Buckley entered the jungle in I'm a Celebrity at the start of 2022. Barry Hall has made a career after AFL in featuring on local TV networks, including reality TV shows. His most recent challenge was on SAS Australia at the start of this year.

Social media sensation Daniel Gorringe placed third in the finale of the 2020 reboot of Big Brother, while current pundit and St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt won Celebrity Masterchef at the end of 2021.

Even with his sights ahead of football, Zaharakis can still be on the winner's list if he can go all the way in the reality show.

According to Who Magazine, former AFL player Shaun Hampson is speculated to return to Survivor in the 2023 season. If correct, there may be two AFL stars on Survivor next year if Zaharakis were to join him.

Zaharakis played 226 games for the Bombers across a 13-year career, ending his run at Essendon at the cessation of last season.