Stephen Milne looks set to miss St Kilda's historic Anzac Day clash against Sydney after being charged for misconduct by the AFL match review panel
Stephen Milne (right) gets involved in a stoush between Bomber Courtenay Dempsey and Ahmed Saad. Source: Getty Images
STEPHEN Milne reads the play better than almost any small forward in history: he gets in dangerous positions, yet sidesteps trouble when the big boys arrive.
For one of the few times in his polarising-yet-decorated career, Milne has ignored that message, and it could cost him a graceful exit from the game.
Milne's "facial" on Essendon's Courtenay Dempsey has cost him a one-week suspension, the respect of his coach, and - potentially - any chance of playing for St Kilda again.
VIDEO: See Milne's sin in the video player above
That might be a big call, but coach Scott Watters was so livid yesterday he declared an impromptu press conference at Melbourne airport to label Milne's actions "stupid", and warn him his spot was in jeopardy.
At so many other times, Milne might have been able to thumb his nose at the critics and point to a record of 262 games, and 552 goals - elite by any standard.
Yet apart from three goals against Greater Western Sydney, Milne has been badly out of form, shocking timing at a club desperately trying to transition its list.
He will likely lose his spot to young ex-WAFL forward Tom Lee and, with Ahmed Saad, Terry Milera, Trent Dennis-Lane and Adam Schneider all in the mix, he might never get it back.
St Kilda was to spread the gospel yesterday through senior player Leigh Montagna, but Watters stepped in as well to vent his frustration.
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"Milney will accept a one-match penalty but it's disappointing. We need our leaders out there. It's not the sort of act I expect from our leaders," he said in a spray that was entirely justified.
Then came Watters' own round-house to Milne: "If you want my blunt assessment, it was just stupid. He will train and prepare himself to be up for selection the following week and there are no guarantees once you come out of the side.
"Then you have to fight your way back in. So he's no different."
In all likelihood, Milne will get his chance again at some stage but, given he is 33 and on a one-year deal, he needs to be playing clearly better than the next 22-year-old to get a game.
He will at least be comforted by the growing likelihood fellow veteran Justin Koschitzke could play tomorrow, after at some stages in the off-season looking like the highest-priced VFL player in history.
Like Milne, he is a victim of the club's aggressive rebuilding strategy and has been behind fellow talls Nick Riewoldt, Beau Maister, Tom Hickey and Rhys Stanley.
But with Stanley playing back and Maister out injured, he could join old mate Riewoldt against Sydney after St Kilda went in too short against Essendon last Saturday night.
Defender Sean Dempster is also a chance to make a quick return from wrist surgery, with Watters flagging a possible debut for Brodie Murdoch or Josh Saunders.
Montagna, drafted a year after Koschitzke, said the ruck/forward had decided not to moan about his position in the VFL.
"He is pretty keen to get amongst it. If he plays, I am sure he will put his best foot forward," Montagna said.
"He was a bit frustrated early in the season when he missed out, but then he thought, 'I am going to take it on the chin'.
"He has done well with the young boys. They have said he has been terrific, and he has really made an effort to enjoy his football."
Koschitzke will be desperate for that final chance to prove himself but, for Milne, he can only watch on hoping the likes of Lee and Saad do not slam the door on his 13-year career.
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