The lairish mullet, the boozing and the avoidance of responsibility are gone as a matured Fraser Gehrig prepares to accept the St Kilda captaincy.

Gehrig is among the leading contenders to replace Aaron Hamill as Saints skipper as part of the club's unique policy of having a new captain each year.

It is a policy designed to broaden the onus of responsibility and leadership among the players, and its redeeming qualities can have no better advertisement than Gehrig.

In 2003, Gehrig declined to join the leadership group, as he and best mate Steve Lawrence opted out for a more relaxed approach that left plenty of time for social diversions.

Combined with his famed growing of a exaggerated mullet hairdo throughout the course of the season, it gave the impression of a player who was anything but captaincy material.

But after a long drinking session resulted in Lawrence lucky to survive a serious car accident late in the season, Lawrence was subsequently sacked and Gehrig left to ponder the direction of his career.

"I decided to have a rest from it last year in terms of the leadership group, this year I thought it might be time to put my hand up and get back into it," Gehrig said.

"Stevie is my best mate, and we did the wrong thing at the wrong time but we're getting on with it now."

Gehrig would be near favourite for the captaincy given it will come from the seven-man leadership group : Gehrig, Hamill (not considered due to rotation), defender Max Hudghton, the almost-traded Heath Black and relative youngsters Lenny Hayes, Justin Koschitzke and Nick Riewoldt.

"It would be an honour, but at the end of the day you're tossing the coin, and the whole seven guys have an influence on how the place is run," Gehrig said.

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