Former St Kilda full-forward Fraser Gehrig has created one of the biggest off-season stirs in recent history by amazingly nominating for Saturday's draft.
Gehrig retired from football at the end of this season with his motivation levels seemingly at an all-time low but it would appear that the two-time Coleman Medallist has found it too hard to ignore his itchy feet.
The 31-year-old capped off his colourful 13-year career with an emotional send-off from the adoring St Kilda faithful at the MCG against Richmond in the final round of the year but it's unclear whether the Saints are considering taking the veteran back.
Prominent player manager Ricky Nixon exclusively told Sportal of his surprise after learning of the power forward's change of heart.
"Most people associated with him and team-mates would be pretty shocked but I don't think Fraser would do it unless he had a suitor somewhere so I guess the interest will start from now just to see who it is," Nixon said.
Clubs such as Adelaide, the Kangaroos and the Western Bulldogs would appear to be the most interested in the burly forward who has amassed 540 goals from 255 games.
Shocked Melbourne recruiting manager Craig Cameron wouldn't say if the 'G-Train' fits into the Demons' calculations as they finetune preparations for both drafts.
Gehrig has become the fourth player in the space of 12 months to perform a backflip after making a retirement announcement.
Late last year, Essendon snapped up triple-premiership full-back Mal Michael in the pre-season draft just six weeks after he retired from the game with a year to run on his contract with the Brisbane Lions.
St. Kilda also coaxed former Crow and Lion Matthew Clarke out of retirement last December to alleviate its depleted ruck stocks and former Port Adelaide forward Stuart Dew recently announced his intentions of returning to AFL ranks after he too retired last year.
Nixon tried to explain what may have caused Gehrig to continue this fascinating trend.
"Motivation dictates when you finish the game and perhaps Fraser was getting a bit stale at St. Kilda, at the end of the day maybe he's got an offer to play somewhere in a team that maybe on the verge of a premiership," Nixon offered.
Nixon believes that clubs may review the way they structure player contracts in the wake of the sudden surge of reneged retirements.
"There's no doubt that could start to become en vogue," Nixon said.
However, Cameron isn't so sure if a general contractual revamp will be necessary.
"Generally when a player retires, the club thinks he's probably come to the end of his time as well so it wouldn't make any difference," said Cameron.
Gehrig, who manages himself, is overseas until Christmas.
Delisted Eagle Daniel Chick has also tried his luck and nominated for this week's draft in the hope of finding a new home at a third club.
However, the premiership player will be 32 by the time next season begins and, after being closely linked to the events that saw Ben Cousins indefinitely banned from West Coast in March and delisted last month, it's unlikely that the veteran of 252 games would be at the top of any club's wish list.
Of the former AFL players who have nominated for the draft, the rejuvenated Ashley Sampi, delisted Essendon youngster Kepler Bradley, discarded premiership Bomber Mark Johnson and ex-Collingwood big man Guy Richards appear to be the likeliest to get another shot at the big time.
Former Docker James Walker, ex-Melbourne tagger Simon Godfrey and delisted Tigers goalsneak Andrew Krakouer are other noteworthy nominees.