Milne could return in two weeks

Stephen Milne trains with the Saints at Seaford today. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Stephen Milne joins St Kilda training with teammates including Leigh Montagna (right). Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Stephen Milne celebrates a goal. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

Support: Stephen Milne gets a pat on the shoulder from David Armitage. Source: Getty Images

STEPHEN Milne has been told he could return to the playing field as soon as the Round 15 clash against Fremantle.

Milne met with St Kilda bosses today and was assured his career was not over. It is more likely Milne will resume in three weeks time against Carlton at the MCG.

He will spend the next week concentrating on his legal affairs, but will continue to train at Seaford.

Milne's senior teammates have rallied behind the star forward, playing a key role in the club's clarification.

The clarification follows Saints insiders last night saying the forward may have played his last AFL game after the club yesterday ordered him to take "indefinite leave".

The AFL Commission met to consider the crisis last night and announced it backed the club's actions.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said: "The AFL will monitor the case and reserves the right to take action under its rules in the event of further information coming to light, or any further developments."

The league has the power to deregister players it deems have brought the game into disrepute.

The Milne camp and AFL Players' Association could mount a challenge if Milne is forced to remain on the sidelines.

A two-week ban would see Milne return after "Women's Round".

Milne has been charged with four counts of rape stemming from an alleged incident in 2004.

Players' Association chief executive Matt Finnis said last night: "We are deeply concerned by the decision announced by the St Kilda board regarding an imposed leave of absence on Stephen Milne.

"We understand the seriousness of the charges, and sensitivity to all parties concerned, but remind the industry and wider community that in our society all members have the right to the presumption of innocence, which is integral to our system of justice."

Any dispute could head to the AFL grievance tribunal or possibly the Supreme Court.

"The St Kilda board's position, in our view, sets a dangerous precedent on how our industry deals with a matter that is yet to be dealt with by the court," the AFLPA's Finnis said.

Goalsneak elusive as ever

"We don't consider the decision genuinely reflects a commitment to a player and his family as much as it does other interests of a club."

Demetriou said the AFL "acknowledges the importance of the presumption of innocence in this case and also the need to treat the complainant with respect and understanding".

League, club walk tightrope

"The AFL welcomes the decision to subject the allegations to legal scrutiny as no player is above the law."

Milne was informed of the club's decision at a meeting yesterday with coach Scott Watters, captain Nick Riewoldt and board member Andrew Thompson. He was shattered by the ruling and teammates expressed anger and dismay.

Players had believed that Milne would be playing against Melbourne on Saturday.

Milne was made aware of concerns raised by some club sponsors, a suggestion disputed by the club.

Saints captain Nick Riewoldt backs under siege team mate Stephen Milne in the wake of fresh charges against the star forward.

St Kilda president Greg Westaway said the decision to stand down Milne was made in the "best interests of all parties".

"The board has resolved that in the best interests of all parties concerned, and the duty of care the club has to Stephen and his family, Stephen will remain a listed player but will take a leave of absence from playing for an indefinite period," Westaway said in a prepared statement.

"The St Kilda Football Club respects that this matter is now before the courts. As a consequence we won't be making any further comment at this time."

Milne joined teammates at Seaford yesterday and met coach Scott Watters afterwards to discuss his mental state.

It's understood Watters has doubts Milne will be able to perform because of the stress surrounding the announcement on Tuesday that Milne will face four counts of rape.

Milne told confidantes he wants to play.

Nick Riewoldt on Wednesday morning throws his support behind the embattled forward, with the captain backing the veteran and close friend to play against Melbourne.

Nick Riewoldt and Stephen Milne at St Kilda training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

"I think he should (play) ... if he feels he can contribute," Riewoldt says in the morning on SEN radio.

Milne should be allowed to play footy

"This is a difficult time for everyone... as a close mate of Milney's, obviously we see what he goes through and there are other parties involved that it's going to be equally difficult for.

Stephen Milne at St Kilda training today. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

"He's incredibly resilient, clearly it's rocked him, he's a very resilient guy - it's been hanging over his head in one way, shape or form for nine years and I think to do what he's done over that period of time on the field is a credit to him.

"Milney is the absolute heart and soul of the football club and everyone knows how passionate he is and what football and the football club means to him.

"I think personally it's up to him (if he wants to play)."

 Milne made a late appearance to join St Kilda teammates at training yesterday morning.

Milne jogged onto the oval as the playing group completed stretching exercises at the club's headquarters at Seaford.

The veteran goalsneak was nowhere to be seen when the players congregated before the start of the regular training session to prepare for Saturday's game.

He remained indoors while others engaged in what he loves best - taking pot shots at goal from odd angles - before fitness staff brought the group together for the official warm-up exercises.

When Milne did appear in a No.37 guernsey, he was buried inside the pack until players started light ball drills in the centre of the oval, well away from the battery of TV cameras.

A large media contingent was allowed to shoot only the first 15 minutes of the warm-up before officials asked them to leave. The club had a security guard outside the oval, but there were no incidents.

Julian de Stoop reports on the latest from St Kilda following Steven Milne's rape charge.

Victoria Police has re-opened its investigation of an incident allegedly involving Milne and a then 19-year-old woman in 2004.

The victim claimed to police she was raped in a darkened bedroom at teammate Leigh Montagna's Highett home, after celebrations for St Kilda's family day.

The St Kilda forward trained yesterday and has told the club he wants to play beside great mates Riewoldt and Nick Dal Santo, who will play their 250th games for the Saints on Saturday.

A source close to Milne said the Saints forward was shocked and raw when he was alerted to the charges on Monday.

Leigh Montagna takes a break at St Kilda training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

The source said Milne was in a better head space yesterday and was determined to play against Melbourne at the MCG.

A decision on Milne's immediate future rested with a crisis teleconference last night, which involved the entire Saints board, chief executive Michael Nettlefold, who is In Italy, acting CEO Terry Dillon and head of football Chris Pelchen.

Milne's career on the brink

An earlier meeting at the AFL was attended by Milne's management and the AFL Players' Association, and senior AFL staffers including deputy CEO Gil McLachlan and cultural strategy and education manager Sue Clark.

There was no discussion about immediate retirement for Milne.

It was acknowledged that Milne had copped years of spectator abuse and that if he did play this weekend, he could expect the same.

The AFLPA last night said: "The right to the presumption of innocence is essential to our system of justice and that is important for everyone that Stephen is afforded that basic right.

"The AFLPA will support Stephen in continuing his football commitments as these charges are being dealt with.''

Jason Gram backs a 'St Kilda great'

His manager Tom Petroro refused to comment.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou yesterday described the charges as "serious'', and said that the league had sought more information from the Saints board, which will be relayed today.

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt leaves training at Seaford. Picture: Andrew Tauber Source: Herald Sun

Milne, 33, has played 268 games and kicked 564 goals since making his debut in 2001.

He is out of contract at the end of this season.

Milne is the second St Kilda player to face rape charges in four years.

In 2010, the Saints sacked Andrew Lovett on February 16, a day after he was charged with one count of rape stemming from incident on December 24th, 2009.

The Saints claimed Lovett's sacking came not because of the charge, but because he "engaged in actions that were failures to comply with our standards of expected behavioural conduct''.

The failures related to training commitments and communications with club officials, and the club admitted they could not ignore the "damage being done to St Kilda's reputation".

At the time, the AFL supported the club's decision to sack Lovett. In July 2011, Lovett was found not guilty of rape.

- with staff writers

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