FOOTBALL for Fraser Gehrig was always supposed to be as much about good, old-fashioned fun as status, accolades and financial rewards. Which is why the last of his 255 AFL games yesterday was an appropriate send-off.

A beautiful Saturday afternoon in spring at the MCG, a traditional time and a traditional ground. Five goals, including the last two, to help give his St Kilda teammates a win. Even time for a bit of a joust with the opposition fans over the fence just before half-time, the ball still in play and only 50 or so metres away.

And time at the end to give one lucky young Saints supporter a big thrill by presenting her with his No. 9 jumper, before being shouldered off, bare-chested and looking a little embarrassed, by teammates Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke, the powerful forward trio having booted 12 of their team's 14 goals in their last outing together.

It was the way he wanted to go out. On his terms. A time of his choosing. And despite two Coleman Medals, two All-Australian nominations, without the sort of fanfare accorded some of his seasoned AFL peers also giving the game at the elite level away this weekend.

"It hasn't been easy all the time, but I wouldn't change a thing," he surmised later. "To get up today, realise it's your last game and show up and it's sunshine, beautiful conditions, it doesn't get much better than that, other than a final.

"I'm pretty happy, I'm pretty comfortable with the situation of retiring now. Maybe I could have squeezed another year out, but I didn't want to be a liability to the team.

"Unfortunately when you get older your body doesn't let you do the things you really want to do. Fortunately I've still been able to get a few kicks this year and hopefully contribute to the side and go out on a reasonable playing level."

Gehrig conceded he'd almost given it away as long as four years ago, after some frank discussions with then coach Grant Thomas. Current coach Ross Lyon had tried to persuade him to saddle up again numerous times.

But Gehrig's mind had been made up for a good month before yesterday. "The last three or four weeks I've just tried to enjoy every minute of it," he said.

Of which he's done a fair job, his eight-goal haul against Fremantle a fortnight ago a season high. And while yesterday's clash with Richmond had been stripped of any real importance once Adelaide had beaten Collingwood on Friday night, thus ending St Kilda's finals chances, the footy gods at least allowed one little bit of romance to permeate what otherwise was a pretty mundane afternoon.

The "G-Train" had managed one goal a quarter as young Tiger Will Thursfield did his best to keep the St Kilda spearhead honest, but saved his best for last.

A Gehrig handball bobbled around the goal line long enough for teammate Nick Riewoldt to connect and St Kilda to creep within two points of Richmond again after having at one stage looked set to win the game by 10 goals.

A mark on a strong lead and accurate conversion put the Saints in front. And it ended perfectly, a Stephen Milne pass finding Gehrig seconds before the siren. The last two kicks of Gehrig's career were goals. The final one brought up his 540th career goal, and 100th on the MCG, as he was swamped by every teammate, one of whom, Andrew Thompson, had also announced his retirement.

Thompson's fine 11-season, 221-game career was sadly a little lost in the Gehrig fairytale finish, but even he was more than happy to pay homage to one of the modern game's more enigmatic figures.

"It was nice to be given a send-off game and for the boys to win, and it's great to share it with Fraser," he said. "To play your last game on the MCG, I think I'm very lucky. A lot of players don't realise its going to be their last game, so it's a good day."

And particularly so for Thompson's teammate. Some good footy. A bit of a fight. Plenty of fun. He might have the odd down with the ups, but when Gehrig was around, no game could ever be completely dull. We'll miss you, G-Train.