Stephen Milne trains with the Saints at Seaford today. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
David Armitage shows his support for Stephen Milne at St Kilda training. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun
Stephen Milne celebrates a goal. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun
ST KILDA coach Scott Watters has reaffirmed the career of goalsneak Stephen Milne is not over, declaring he could return to the AFL field in three weeks.
Speaking at Seaford today, Watters said he supported the decision to give Milne indefinite leave.
"We certainly haven't stood him down. From our perspective it's pretty clear there's a duty of care to Steve to make sure he has some time to prioritise his family in what is a really sensitive situation," he said.
Milne completed light training with his teammates today.
"Stephen will return to play. We will be very hopeful that within 3-4 weeks he's available to come back out and do what he loves doing.
"At the same time there is a duty of care and responsibility to Milney, so we just need to see how this unfolds as well.''
Watters said the board, football department and leadership group had taken a "unified" stance since Milne was charged with four counts of rape on Tuesday.
"There is always two priorities in this situation. One is the duty of care to the player and two is the broader responsibitlity at club level. We think the outcome has been the best outcome for both."
Watters said he initiated a meeting of the club's leadership group, senior players and club bosses yesterday to provide clarification.
"There was a phone call from me to the leadership group to certainly say we would love you to come in….to further discuss what's been a really tough week for the club,'' he said.
"They had the opportunity to sit with two or three directors, which I instigated, because open communication in this sort of time is absolutely critical.
"On top of that I contacted six or seven senior players and asked them to come in to make sure that there was a really good opportunity for everyone to be really clear on what the intent around the whole decision was.
"So out of that I think everyone was as comfortable as you could be in pretty tough times.''
Coach Scott Watters talks with Stephen Milne. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun
Watters added the call would be made in consultation with the club's psychologist and his own discussions with Milne.
"He is eligible to play. There is always a presumption of innocence and the club is standing behind that,'' he said.
"Again, in three to four weeks we are really hopeful Steve is ready to play.''
Watters said a decision had not yet been made on whether Milne would attend tomorrow's match against Melbourne at the MCG when teammates Nick Riewoldt and Nick Dal Santo will celebrate their 250-game milestones.
"That's something we will consider over the next day,'' he said.
Milne left a meeting with club bosses yesterday believing he would be picked to play against Fremantle in Round 15 or Carlton the following week.
It means he would be sidelined for just two or three weeks despite the rape charges against him.
Milne has been charged with four counts of rape stemming from an alleged incident in 2004.
Milne's St Kilda teammates have played a key role in attempting to save his career.
A delegation led by captain Nick Riewoldt and player union representative Jason Blake met with Saints chiefs yesterday to seek clarification on how long the 268-game veteran would be absent.
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Coach Scott Watters has also pushed hard for Milne.
St Kilda on Wednesday ordered Milne to take "indefinite leave".
The AFL Players' Association criticised the move, saying other interests had held sway over Milne's rights to play.
League, club walk tightrope
If St Kilda prevents an early return, it could face a player revolt and possible legal action. As recently as last week, Milne had indicated to the club that he was keen to play in 2014. He is out of contract at the end of the season.
AFL boss Andrew Demetriou today backed the club's decision.
"It's a very complex issue, and a very serious one, and on balance we think St Kilda board acted appropropriately. On balance they got it right and in the coolness of day I think Stephen Milne acknwoledges now they got it right," he said on 3AW.
Demetriou said in the "hypothetical" situation Milne was convicted and sentenced, it wouldn't necessarily end his AFL career.
"He wouldn't be playing until such time until he was out of jail, but ...we have Andrew Krakouer playing who's been in jail, he's entitled to resume his career. In this case Stephen Milne is 33 years of age so I don't think that's a scenario that we've contemplated."
Milne is continuing to train with the club at Seaford, where Watters will front the media today.
Riewoldt and teammate Nick Dal Santo have twice this week been pulled from scheduled press conferences to celebrate their 250th matches, against Melbourne at the MCG tomorrow.
Milne's manager Tom Petroro said last night: "Stephen is taking the legal matter very seriously and has engaged lawyers to represent him to contest the charges.
"Like every citizen, he is entitled to the presumption of innocence.
"It is requested that the privacy of Stephen, his wife and his family be respected during this time."
David Grace QC is leading Milne's defence.
Saints chief executive Michael Nettlefold is holidaying in Italy but is returning early to take charge of the crisis.
The AFL said on Wednesday it reserved the right to "take action under its rules".
Saints captain Nick Riewoldt backs under siege team mate Stephen Milne in the wake of fresh charges against the star forward.
Milne should be allowed to play footy
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