Gehrig's future again in doubt

The future of ageing St Kilda spearhead Fraser Gehrig is again in doubt with the possibility the dual Coleman Medalist and 260 game veteran may have played his last AFL game.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said Gehrig's form was definitely an issue after the Saints' round eight loss to Collingwood at Telstra Dome - a loss which leaves the NAB Cup winners precariously placed at four wins and four losses and possibly out of the top eight by the end of this round.

Gehrig, who has been dropped once already this season, managed just seven possessions and one goal in the Saints' nine point loss.

The 32-year-old, who retired at the end of last season only to then change his mind as the Saints reclaimed him with pick 57 in last year's national draft, has now kicked just nine goals in five matches this season during which time he has managed a total of just 32 possessions.

Afterwards Lyon did not hide his thoughts on Gehrig's form.

"It is a concern, clearly it's a concern," he said.

"We really respect Fraser and we want to give him every opportunity but he will be really disappointed (by his performance)."

Lyon hinted that Gehrig's battered body, particularly his arthritic hands, were no longer capable of standing up to AFL level.

"His body is not what it was and it's frightening what can happen in six months," he said in a clear hint that Gehrig may have erred in coming out of retirement.

Lyon spoke after the game as if Gehrig may have just played his last game for the Saints, although he insisted no decision had been made on the future on the Saints' leading goalkicker of the past five years.

"I feel like I have given Fraser every opportunity," Lyon said.

"Now we will assess his body and his mind and ultimately it's what best for St Kilda."

"Father time catches up with you and at four (wins) and four (losses) we have got some youth to come into the side."

"You all saw the performance (of Gehrig) tonight and over the last few weeks Fraser has been keen to have a crack at it but we always said at the right time we will sit down and review it."

"But until I get to Fraser and talk about it, there is no conclusion either way."

However while Gehrig's future is very much up in the air, the Saints' star midfielder Luke Ball appears back to his best and fully over his debilitating groin problems after gathering 30 possessions in a game for only the second time since 2005.

"There has been a lot of talk about Luke Ball since I walked in the door (as coach last year) and we have talked about the re-building of his running (following his groin problems) and we felt he was getting close to putting on a performance like he did tonight," Lyon said of Ball.

Ball helped the Saints win the centre clearances 16-6 on Friday night yet they still lost the game due to the Magpies' tackling as Mick Malthouse's team recorded 49 tackles to 27 after quarter-time.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse praised his side's work ethic after the win.

"If you don't tackle then you don't put a lot of pressure on the opposition," he said.

And in particular he praised the work of his key forwards Travis Cloke and Anthony Rocca in that area, even though the pair had little impact on the scoreboard.

"With Travis his competitiveness is always factor, he does not always kick goals or mark the ball but because of his chasing and general pressure he was good and Anthony, coming off his ankle injury, was good also and I thought their contribution forced enough errors and enough contests for other players to actually kick goals."