St Kilda star Stephen Milne might return to the AFL next weekend, but definitely is back in court on September 13.
While Saints coach Scott Watters said the club would lift Milne’s suspension before the round-16 match against Carlton, he would not guarantee the small forward an immediate return to the senior team.
Earlier on Friday, Milne fronted court for the first time in relation to four rape charges that relate to an alleged 2004 incident.
Milne, 33, sat silently beside his wife Melissa throughout the four-minute Melbourne Magistrates Court hearing and was bailed to return on September 13.
He is alleged to have raped a woman four times at a Highett home, in Melbourne’s southeast, on March 15, 2004, two days after St Kilda won the AFL pre-season grand final.
Milne was charged on June 18 after a police review found the initial investigation was inadequate.
He has always denied the allegations.
Two days after the charges were laid, the Saints stood down Milne indefinitely.
Watters said on Friday that suspension was now over.
“He’ll be available for selection next week,” Watters told reporters at Melbourne Airport.
“Until we select a side next week there’s nothing finalised.
“We’ve tried to maintain a very respectful position to all parties that are involved and, as we’ve said a number of times, it’s a unique set of circumstances.”
Milne had played 10 out of a possible 11 games this season before the Saints stood him down.
St Kilda are struggling in 15th place with only three wins from 13 matches.
They are at long odds to beat Fremantle, who have regained captain Matthew Pavlich and fellow key players Aaron Sandilands, Michael Barlow and David Mundy for the match.
Adding to the Saint’s on-field woes, captain Nick Riewoldt will miss the game.
Watters described it as a scheduled break, but admitted Riewoldt’s ongoing knee problems prompted the omission: “just a little bit of soreness with the knee, more management than an injury I guess.
“But a six-day break the following week, travelling, getting on a flight, probably not a great recipe.”
Ruck-forward Justin Koschitzke, who is one shy of his 200th game, will also miss the match because of soreness.
The one veteran back in the inexperienced side is Lenny Hayes, who has not played since round nine because of calf muscle problems.
