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COLBINABBIN has a major key position void to fill in defence with the retirement of centre half-back Damien Carmody.

Carmody has spent the past four seasons with the Grasshoppers; the bulk of which has been in defence, but he has also proven a valuable swingman in attack, kicking 51 goals.

"He's been awesome for us over the past four years, but with work and family commitments he has decided to retire, plus he's going overseas for half the season," Colbinabbin coach Julian Bull said on Wednesday.

"He's obviously a big loss for us... as far as a replacement at centre half-back Reardo (Matt Riordan) is probably a natural choice given he's played inter-league footy as a centre half-back and it is probably his best position.

"But for us to be able to do that we have to make sure we can fill the gaps up forward as well, so it will depend on what mix we've got."

Riordan was Colbinabbin's leading goalkicker with 35 last year.

While the Grasshoppers - who were beaten by North Bendigo in last year's grand final - have lost Carmody, they have 2012 Cheatley Medal runner-up Darcy Booth returning.

"Darcy will be part of our Melbourne group and will give us some depth in our midfield," Bull said.

"He's won a club best and fairest with us and was runner-up in the league medal, so he's a quality player.

"Because of his work (paramedic) he hasn't played seriously for a bit and just filled in back at his home club Wangaratta Rovers last year. But all the indications from his training so far is he's fit and he is what he is... a ball winner."

Other recruits for the Grasshoppers include goalkicking midfielder Jed Brain, who was the Picola and District league's north west division league medallist in 2017 while playing at Blighty.

Colbinabbin has also added goalkicker Clint Shields from Turvey Park, while Bull is excited with what Will Falland can offer the Grasshoppers.

"We tried to get Will full-time last year, but with his uni and work he couldn't commit, but he played a couple of games in the reserves and is a quality player," Bull said.

"He's a a big, strong midfielder who again gives us a bit more depth through the middle of the ground and has been training really well."

Departures from the Grasshoppers include Daniel Connors, Xavier Walsh and Chris Horsley, while young gun teenagers Cooper and Hugh Hamilton will play school football at Caulfield Grammar, but remain aligned with Colbinabbin.

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