Former Carlton and North Melbourne forward Jarrad Waite has found a new home in local football, signing with Northern Football Netball League outfit Whittlesea.

Waite has featured for VAFA side St Kevins across the past couple of seasons and has now joined the Eagles as a playing assistant coach.

The 38-year-old called time on his AFL career in 2018 after 16 seasons spanning across stints with the Blues and Kangaroos.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 09: Jarrad Waite of the Blues is tackled by Rory Thompson of the Suns during the round 20 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the GOld Coast Titans at Etihad Stadium on August 9, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Waite made his AFL debut in 2003 with Carlton, playing 184 games at Princes Park before moving to Arden Street ahead of the 2015 season.

After 244 games Waite amassed 377 goals to his name, along with leading goalkicker awards at both Carlton and North Melbourne.

Now, after a COVID-impacted tenure with St Kevins, Waite will venture to the NFNL's top division with Whittlesea.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - MAY 06: Jarrad Waite of the Kangaroos celebrates kicking a goal during the round seven AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Adelaide Crows at Blundstone Arena on May 6, 2017 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

The past two seasons in the NFNL have been brought to an abrupt end. Division 1 managed just 12 games for the season in 2021, with the Eagles recording two wins and 10 losses before the campaign was cut short.

Waite will join an extensive list of former AFL names in the NFNL, with Brent Harvey, Sam Lloyd and Ahmed Saad among the former professional footballers in the competition's top division.