After five seasons at the club, including two as an assistant and two as senior coach, Griggs has committed to play at Queanbeyan Tigers again next year.

He won a premiership back at his home club this season, travelling from Griffith to play in the AFL Canberra competition after the Swans withdrew from the AFL Riverina Championship.

"It wasn't an easy decision but I think it's time to go back home and see the family and all my mates back there," Griggs said.

"It's been a good few years but it's time for the next chapter."

Griggs has been a key figure in the turnaround at the Swans since joining the club as a player in 2015.

He was an assistant to Adrian Pavese in 2016 and 2017 when the Swans returned as a finals force in the Riverina League.

He then looked like leading them to the promised land but a premiership ultimately proved elusive.

Despite an impressive record of 31 wins in 38 games as coach, there were grand final losses to Collingullie-Glenfield Park and Wagga Tigers in 2018 and 2019.

He says "they did keep me awake for a few weeks afterwards" but this year's success helped him come to terms with the disappointment personally.

Before Griffith, Griggs had only ever played with Queanbeyan.

He leaves grateful for his time at a club that broadened his horizons and gave him an opportunity to coach.

"I knew I wanted to get into coaching at some stage but I didn't know it would be that early in my career, which I really enjoyed," Griggs said.

"It was challenges like that that were tough at times but also rewarding, seeing how the boys developed over the years.

"And to have some success getting in to two grand finals in a row. Unfortunately we didn't win them but they gained some experience.

"The boys really took everything on the board so it was a credit to them and a credit to the club for having faith in myself to do the job. I can't thank them enough."

Griggs played 89 games in the red and white, emerging as one of the top players in the league in recent years, whether influencing the game across half-back or going through the middle.

He was honoured to represent the Riverina League multiple times, including as captain against AFL Canberra in 2019, in what might be the last representative fixture for a while.

Griggs isn't planning to move from Griffith for another few months yet and, with the Swans seeking his successor, he said he'll be more than happy to help out with the pre-season.

However, he's about ready to retire from coaching.

"I think I'm going to take a back step on the coaching (at Queanbeyan) and just enjoy my footy for the last few years. It's pretty taxing being a coach and they've got some great coaches (Pavese and Kade Klemke)," he said.

"I think I'll just sit back and try to help out where I can."