St Kilda full-forward Fraser Gehrig has confirmed his retirement from the AFL, ending an unsuccessful comeback.

Gehrig, 32, first retired at the end of last season, but contacted the club during a post-season holiday in Europe to tell them he wanted to return.

The Saints re-drafted him, but he only managed five games and nine goals this season before the Saints placed him on the long-term injury list in May.

Gehrig needed hand surgery and his inability to return to playing after the mandatory eight-week spell for a long-term injury meant it was highly likely he would end the comeback.

His only disappointment was not playing in a premiership side.

"My career at the end of last year was missing that one part ... and it still is," he told the ABC before the Saints-Collingwood semi-final.

"I haven't regretted coming back and having a crack."

Nicknamed "G-Train" for his massive frame and bullocking style of play, Gehrig made his AFL debut in 1995 for West Coast.

He played 115 games for the Eagles before crossing to the Saints after the 2000 season.

Gehrig played another 145 games for St Kilda, for a career total of 260 matches and 549 goals.

He won the 2004 and '05 Coleman Medals as the league's top goalkicker, kicking 103 in '04 and 78 the following season.

Gehrig made the All-Australian side in 1997 and 2004.

He was the Eagles' leading goalkicker in 1998 and achieved the honour five times at St Kilda.

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