St Kilda full-forward Fraser Gehrig says his passion for another season in the AFL is "very strong" and admits his decision to retire earlier this year was hasty.

Gehrig, 31, was drafted by the Saints last Saturday after he contacted the club last week from Switzerland to tell officials he had unfinished business and wanted another season in the goal square.

The dual Coleman medallist announced his retirement less than three months ago after playing 140 of his 255 games with the Saints and topping their goal kicking for five seasons.

But on Tuesday he admitted making a hasty decision to bow out because he had struggled with illness through 2007 and wanted to travel.

"I really enjoyed last (season) with a new coach (Ross Lyon) and the playing group," Gehrig told reporters.

"Form-wise and body-wise I finished the year really well, it wasn't one of those issues that it probably tends to be when you're over 30.

"For me, the issue was that I wanted to travel, I wanted to have an extended break overseas, which I probably thought would be a lot longer than what I (had).

"I was a little bit sick during the year, towards the end of the year, when I told Ross I actually wasn't going to play again.

"Maybe I did that a little bit too harshly, based on how I was feeling at the time.

"It wasn't through motivation that I retired. Things have changed and I am ready to go again."

Gehrig, who arrived home on Sunday and was back at Moorabbin the following day, said he had not missed much of St Kilda's off-season and felt fit.

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