St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt and Nick Dal Santo want teammate Stephen Milne playing in their milestone AFL match this Saturday.

Milne was charged with four counts of rape this week and the Saints board met on Tuesday night to discuss the crisis.

The AFL is awaiting further information from the club and it is unclear whether the veteran goalsneak will be stood down because of the charges.

Riewoldt and Dal Santo play their 250th games in the Saturday twilight match against Melbourne at the MCG, while Sean Dempster reaches 150 matches.

“Milney is the absolute heart and soul of the football club and everyone knows how passionate he is and what the football club in particular means to him,” Riewoldt told SEN radio.

“If he feels like he can contribute and he can put it to the side and go out for two hours, which he’s stated unequivocally that he’s going to be able to do and he wants to do, then I think that’s where it should stay.”

Dal Santo also hopes Milne can play against the Demons.

“He’s a quality person and we support him fully, and it’d be great to have him out there,” Dal Santo said.

But Riewoldt acknowledged that others would starkly disagree with their enthusiasm for Milne to stay in the side.

“Certainly I understand because this a difficult time for everyone,” he said.

The charges stem from an alleged incident a few days before the start of the 2004 season.

Milne and fellow Saint Leigh Montagna were investigated and no charges were laid.

But Victoria Police decided to review the case after concerns were raised about the initial investigation.

“Clearly it’s rocked him but this has been hanging over his head in one way, shape or form for nine years,” Riewoldt said.

“I think to do what he’s done over that period of time on the field is a credit to him and the support he’s had from his family.”