BRENDON Goddard concedes his days as an AFL footballer are likely over, and the ex-Bomber has sought advice from retired former teammates on how to deal with life after football.

While the 33-year-old still holds out some hope a club will throw him a lifeline as a delisted free agent or through one of the NAB AFL Drafts, Goddard said he's now adjusting to not being a professional athlete.

Conversations with good friends and former St Kilda teammates Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna have helped him accept his playing career is likely over.

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"I realised it was harder to swallow than I thought it would," Goddard told RSN Radio on Wednesday morning.

"I'm content now, and talking to a few blokes now, in particular (Riewoldt) and (Montagna) who I'm really good friends with.

"They've talked about ebbs and flows over the six to eight months, but even now I'm starting to feel it with blokes going back to training and I see it on Twitter, so reality is kicking in.

"It's only natural, I've been doing this for 16 years.

"I'm even thinking about unfollowing Essendon (on Twitter), just to get if off my mind, but that's a bit extreme."

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After 334 games with the Bombers and Saints, Goddard is frustrated he's been thrown on the scrap heap with plenty left in the tank.

"I still believe I'm physically and mentally in a good space and still have something to offer in different areas," Goddard said.

"I see some of the blokes playing football and it bugs me that they're playing and I'm not.

"I know the reality of it too. I'm not bitter at all, I'm a realist."

Goddard will turn to one of his other passions – golf – to help ease him into football afterlife by caddying for good friend and professional golfer Marcus Fraser at next week's Hong Kong Open.