FRASER Gehrig's career is flickering to an end but has not been extinguished, with the G-Train having stopped short of retiring — again — in favour of being placed on St Kilda's long-term injury list.

The move allows Gehrig to remain a last-chance insurance policy should he be able to get his body into passable shape and if St Kilda need him in the finals before he gives in to the inevitability that his retirement, this time, would be for good.

Having had one aborted short-term retirement, Gehrig and the club this time chose the conservative path of the long-term injury list, which would give him himself an outside chance to still play a role for the club this season should it need him.

But it would appear that after the arthritis in his hands worsened in recent weeks, the chances of this occurring would be slim and he would only be brought in through absolute desperation.

Gehrig retired at the end of last season but later changed his mind and negotiated a return to the club with coach Ross Lyon.

"My body just isn't what it used to be and despite my best efforts to play competitively, I'll now need to take some time to work out how to better manage my hands," Gehrig said. "My return this year was always going to be a risk but I love the Saints and the game and was fully prepared to take my chances. I don't regret a minute of it but these days, I've got to listen to my body when it tells me that I'm pushing it too hard."

Gehrig's inability to play as he once did was reinforced last Friday night against Collingwood at Telstra Dome when, in the absence of Nick Riewoldt, there was opportunity and desire for him to fill the breach. But he was unable to have a meaningful impact on the game and spent much of the second half on the bench.

Oddly, the arthritis does not stop Gehrig marking the ball but he struggles most with tackling and holding the ball in play when the tight grip in his hands is affected.

"Football can be a gruelling sport but when your body tells you to rest, you need to rest," Lyon said.

"Fraser is one of the most popular players in the competition and will be an inspiration to the game for many years to come."

St Kilda is unlikely to promote a rookie for Gehrig in the short term, as Andrew McQualter was promoted following the injury to Matt Maguire and the other rookies are either unfit or too raw for senior football.

The player most likely to be promoted would be Robert Eddy, a quick midfielder, but he has a calf injury and will not be fit to play for several weeks.

Within St Kilda, Gehrig is considered the most misunderstood person by those outside the club. He is extremely popular and regarded as one of the role models for training and preparation.

As a consequence, the coaches are extremely pleased to have him remain in training with the group and around the club for the rest of the year before he retires.