Fraser Gehrig
Encyclopedia
Fraser Gehrig is a retired Australian rules football
er in the Australian Football League
(AFL) who played for the St Kilda Football Club and the West Coast Eagles. He is the owner of Restaurant – Michelangelo's.
Gehrig was a versatile player during his AFL career, beginning his career at West Coast before becoming known as a powerful goal kicker and Coleman medalist at St Kilda.
Gehrig holds the bench press record at both West Coast and St Kilda and was the best bench press
performer in the AFL, and was regarded by many as the strongest and most intimidating player in the AFL.
and attended high school at Catholic College Wodonga
.
playing as a utility and on the wing. He was known for his strength and versatility.
Gehrig struggled to break into a powerful Eagles lineup during his first few years at the Western Australian club, but he stepped up in 1997 and won selection in the All Australian Team in a forward pocket
.
Gehrig had a season on the half forward line in 1998, but struggled with injury and form over the following two years and was traded to St Kilda at the end of the 2000 season. West Coast received David Sierakowski
and 2000 AFL Draft
selection number 18 (Daniel Kerr
) from St Kilda in exchange for Gehrig.
award in 2001. In 2003 he switched to the full-forward position and this move coincided with St Kilda's rise up the ladder, finishing 10th in 2003 and playing in finals matches in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Gehrig became a powerful and dominant force in the goalsquare and weighed in at 109 kilograms. He quickly became a prolific goalkicker, booting 55 goals in 2003 and 103 in 2004. A large pitch invasion
by fans occurred following his 100th goal. Gehrig won back-to-back Coleman Medal
s in 2004 and 2005 and was named at full-forward in the All-Australian team in 2004.
Gehrig's unique style of play earned him the nicknames "G-Train" for his locomotive-like leads and strong marking and "Carpet Snake" for his tendency to 'hide' behind the goal posts only to appear when the ball was heading his way. He has twice kicked 10 goals in a match in his AFL career; once against Richmond and once against the Kangaroos.
Gehrig was close to retirement at the end of the 2003 season but then coach, Grant Thomas
, managed to convince him to play on. Gehrig signed a one-year deal at the end of the 2006 season and was again a prolific goal-kicker for the Saints, booting 59 goals from 20 matches.
Gehrig played his 200th game in 2005, kicking eight goals in a dominant St Kilda win against rivals Sydney. As well as this, Gehrig has also engaged in shoot-outs with players such as Matthew Lloyd
and Barry Hall
.
Gehrig's 250th game came against Carlton in round 17, 2007. Again, the Saints emerged victors.
Gehrig was chaired off the ground by St Kilda players Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke, bare-chested after giving his famous number nine jumper to a young female fan in the stands.
over the pre-season draft. This option forced Gehrig onto the standard two-year draftees' contract, but allowed the club to redraft him without using an early pre-season draft selection. St Kilda re-drafted Gehrig with its fourth round selection (#57 overall).
After a few lacklustre games, many feared that Gehrig had lost his form and fitness and he was dropped to the reserves. In a last ditch effort to kickstart his playing the coach selected him in the senior list, but he failed to have any impact. Gehrig revealed that he was suffering from painful arthritis which affected his game and required surgery. St Kilda then put him on its long-term injury list. This move onto the long-term injury list, instead of retirement, meant that St Kilda were able to elevate Robert Eddy
from the rookie list
. Gehrig's subsequent return to the senior list was a precaution in case of injuries to other players but he has not since played again.
Gehrig was also charged with the unlawful assault of a woman in an alleged incident during Grand Final week in 2006. Gehrig, with Steven Lawrence
and former Brisbane Lions
captain Michael Voss
, were all charged over a fight in a St Kilda hotel.
Some of Gehrig's onfield incidents have earned him penalties, with the forward suspended mainly for striking incidents against opposition players (once in 2003
, twice in 2004
, once in 2005
and once in 2007
).
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL) who played for the St Kilda Football Club and the West Coast Eagles. He is the owner of Restaurant – Michelangelo's.
Gehrig was a versatile player during his AFL career, beginning his career at West Coast before becoming known as a powerful goal kicker and Coleman medalist at St Kilda.
Gehrig holds the bench press record at both West Coast and St Kilda and was the best bench press
Bench press
The bench press is an exercise of the upper body. For bodybuilding purposes, it is used to stimulate the pectorals, deltoids, and triceps. While on his or her back, the person performing the bench press lowers a weight to the level of the chest, then pushes it back up until the arm is straight...
performer in the AFL, and was regarded by many as the strongest and most intimidating player in the AFL.
Early life
He grew up in Wodonga, VictoriaWodonga, Victoria
Wodonga is a small city on the Victorian side of the border with New South Wales, north-east of Melbourne, Australia. Adjacent to Wodonga across the border is the New South Wales city of Albury. Wodonga is located wholly within the boundaries of the City of Wodonga LGA...
and attended high school at Catholic College Wodonga
Catholic College Wodonga
Catholic College is a co-educational Catholic school in Wodonga, Victoria, Australia, catering for students in Years 7 to 12. Founded by the Wodonga Parish in 1979, Catholic College aims to “bring life in Jesus’ name” and to continue the work of the Sisters of Mercy in educating young people for a...
.
Career with West Coast
Gehrig began his AFL career at the West Coast EaglesWest Coast Eagles
The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League. The club is based in Perth, Western Australia. The club was founded in 1986 and played its first games in the 1987 season. Its current home ground is Subiaco Oval...
playing as a utility and on the wing. He was known for his strength and versatility.
Gehrig struggled to break into a powerful Eagles lineup during his first few years at the Western Australian club, but he stepped up in 1997 and won selection in the All Australian Team in a forward pocket
Forward pocket
In Australian rules football, the forward pocket refers to a position on the field deep in offense.Forward pocket players, situated in the forward line, need to have good avoidance and goal sneak skills and usually, quality forward-pockets are noted for their agility and ability to score difficult...
.
Gehrig had a season on the half forward line in 1998, but struggled with injury and form over the following two years and was traded to St Kilda at the end of the 2000 season. West Coast received David Sierakowski
David Sierakowski
David Sierakowski is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.He was recruited to the Saints in the 1992 AFL Draft under the father-son rule. He spent the whole of 1993 season in the reserves developing his game and settling into Melbourne life with relatives...
and 2000 AFL Draft
2000 AFL Draft
The 2000 AFL Draft was the annual draft of talented Australian rules football players by teams that participate in the Australian Football League. It consisted of a pre-season draft, a national draft, a trade period and a rookie elevation....
selection number 18 (Daniel Kerr
Daniel Kerr
Daniel Matthew Kerr is an Australian rules footballer.Kerr was recruited from East Fremantle Football Club and made his AFL debut in 2001 with the West Coast Eagles. He is a hard-running midfielder who is a vital part of the midfield at the Eagles.-Background:Kerr is of Anglo-Indian descent...
) from St Kilda in exchange for Gehrig.
Career with St Kilda
Gehrig made his debut with the Saints in 2001. He initially played at full-back and finished second in the St Kilda Best and FairestBest and Fairest
Best and Fairest is the term commonly used in Australian sport to describe the player adjudged to have had the best performance in a game or over a season for a given sporting club or competition while not receiving a suspension for misconduct or breaching the rules during that season.In the...
award in 2001. In 2003 he switched to the full-forward position and this move coincided with St Kilda's rise up the ladder, finishing 10th in 2003 and playing in finals matches in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Gehrig became a powerful and dominant force in the goalsquare and weighed in at 109 kilograms. He quickly became a prolific goalkicker, booting 55 goals in 2003 and 103 in 2004. A large pitch invasion
Pitch invasion
A pitch invasion or field invasion, known as rushing the field in the United States, occurs when a crowd of people who are watching a sports game run onto the field, to celebrate or protest about an incident...
by fans occurred following his 100th goal. Gehrig won back-to-back Coleman Medal
Coleman Medal
The Coleman Medal is awarded yearly to the Australian Football League player who kicks the most goals in regular-season matches in that year...
s in 2004 and 2005 and was named at full-forward in the All-Australian team in 2004.
Gehrig's unique style of play earned him the nicknames "G-Train" for his locomotive-like leads and strong marking and "Carpet Snake" for his tendency to 'hide' behind the goal posts only to appear when the ball was heading his way. He has twice kicked 10 goals in a match in his AFL career; once against Richmond and once against the Kangaroos.
Gehrig was close to retirement at the end of the 2003 season but then coach, Grant Thomas
Grant Thomas (footballer)
Grant Thomas is a former Australian rules football player and coach. He most recently held the position of coach of the St Kilda Football Club from 2001–2006. He attended St Bede's College in Mentone.- Playing career :...
, managed to convince him to play on. Gehrig signed a one-year deal at the end of the 2006 season and was again a prolific goal-kicker for the Saints, booting 59 goals from 20 matches.
Gehrig played his 200th game in 2005, kicking eight goals in a dominant St Kilda win against rivals Sydney. As well as this, Gehrig has also engaged in shoot-outs with players such as Matthew Lloyd
Matthew Lloyd
Matthew James Lloyd is a former Australian rules footballer who played for and was the captain of the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League...
and Barry Hall
Barry Hall
Barry Hall is a former Australian rules footballer. Hall is considered to be one of the best forwards of the modern era, being named All-Australian, leading his club's goalkicking on nine occasions and captaining the Sydney Swans to their 2005 AFL Grand Final victory...
.
Gehrig's 250th game came against Carlton in round 17, 2007. Again, the Saints emerged victors.
Temporary retirement
Immediately before St Kilda's last game of the 2007 season, on 1 September, Gehrig announced his retirement to the team. Unusually he waved to the dedicated fans in the cheersquad when he came on the field and then played well in a tight contest against Richmond. In the dying seconds of the match Gehrig took a strong mark in St Kilda's forward line and kicked his 540th career goal, one of five that day, to secure the win.Gehrig was chaired off the ground by St Kilda players Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke, bare-chested after giving his famous number nine jumper to a young female fan in the stands.
Comeback
Three months later Gehrig shocked many by changing his mind and deciding that he wished to continue playing with St Kilda. Having already been removed from St Kilda's playing list, Gehrig was forced to return via one of the AFL drafts and opted for the national draft2007 AFL Draft
The 2007 AFL Draft consisted of four opportunities for player acquisitions during the 2007/08 Australian Football League off-season. These were trade week, the National Draft, the Pre-Season Draft and the Rookie Draft.- Trades :...
over the pre-season draft. This option forced Gehrig onto the standard two-year draftees' contract, but allowed the club to redraft him without using an early pre-season draft selection. St Kilda re-drafted Gehrig with its fourth round selection (#57 overall).
After a few lacklustre games, many feared that Gehrig had lost his form and fitness and he was dropped to the reserves. In a last ditch effort to kickstart his playing the coach selected him in the senior list, but he failed to have any impact. Gehrig revealed that he was suffering from painful arthritis which affected his game and required surgery. St Kilda then put him on its long-term injury list. This move onto the long-term injury list, instead of retirement, meant that St Kilda were able to elevate Robert Eddy
Robert Eddy
Robert Eddy is an Australian rules footballer, currently playing for in the Australian Football League .-Overview:Eddy grew up in Gippsland, Victoria and attended Caulfield Grammar School in Melbourne....
from the rookie list
Rookie list
The Rookie List is a means for Australian Football League clubs to maintain additional players outside of the 38-man primary or senior list. Rookie listed players are not eligibile to play in AFL home and away or finals matches unless they are elevated to the senior list, either to replace a...
. Gehrig's subsequent return to the senior list was a precaution in case of injuries to other players but he has not since played again.
Career highlights
- St Kilda AFL WHL Cup winning side 2004
- Coleman Medalist 2004, 2005
- All-Australian 1997, 2004
- St Kilda Leading Goalkicker 2004-2007
- 2nd, St Kilda Best & Fairest 2001
- West Coast Leading Goalkicker 1998
Controversies
Gehrig was involved in some off field indiscretions during his time with both St Kilda and West Coast. It was alleged that Gehrig urinated on a patron at a nightclub, although no formal accusations were made. http://www.searchingkangaroo.com/forum/upload/index.php?s=47f0c4c75e1e18818c4ba4390cb826bf&showtopic=251&st=0&p=3100&#entry3100Gehrig was also charged with the unlawful assault of a woman in an alleged incident during Grand Final week in 2006. Gehrig, with Steven Lawrence
Steven Lawrence
Steven James Lawrence is an Australian rules footballer. He is the son of former St Kilda star Barry Lawrence.-Brisbane career:...
and former Brisbane Lions
Brisbane Lions
The Brisbane Lions is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Brisbane, Queensland. The club was formed from the merger of the Brisbane Bears and the Fitzroy Lions in 1996...
captain Michael Voss
Michael Voss
Michael Voss is the senior coach of the Brisbane Lions Australian Football League team and a former professional Australian rules footballer....
, were all charged over a fight in a St Kilda hotel.
Some of Gehrig's onfield incidents have earned him penalties, with the forward suspended mainly for striking incidents against opposition players (once in 2003
2003 AFL season
Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 2003.See List of Australian Football League premiers for a complete list.-National Cup:...
, twice in 2004
2004 AFL season
Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 2004.See List of Australian Football League premiers for a complete list.-Wizard Home Loans Cup:The Wizard Home Loans Cup Final saw St...
, once in 2005
2005 AFL season
Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 2005.See List of Australian Football League premiers for a complete list.-National Cup:...
and once in 2007
2007 AFL season
The 2007 AFL Season was the 111th season of the Australian Football League, the highest-level professional Australian rules football league in Australia...
).