St Kilda great Stephen Milne has been pulled from next month’s EJ Whitten Legends Game following backlash to his indecent assault history.
In 2014, Milne initially faced multiple rape charges which were all later withdrawn, and he ended up pleading guilty to indecently assaulting a 19-year-old woman in 2004.
He was fined $15,000 and had no conviction recorded.
Last week it was announced that Milne, 46, would play in the Four’N Twenty Legends Game at Marvel Stadium — an exhibition game where “past greats and fan favourites of the game” help raise funds to support prostate cancer.
After backlash to news of Milne’s participation, the game’s media partner SEN issued a statement on Monday saying Milne had been pulled from the game.
“By mutual agreement, we can confirm that Stephen Milne will not participate in the 2026 Four’N Twenty Legends Game for Prostate Cancer,” the statement read.
“The Legends Game is an important opportunity to raise funds supporting vital prostate cancer care and research at the Australian Prostate Centre, and all parties agree the focus should remain firmly on that cause and the positive impact it has on the community.
“We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone who participates in and attends our events, and want the focus of the day to be on football, fundraising and community impact.”
Milne played his entire 275-game AFL career at St Kilda and kicked 574 goals as one of the best small forwards of his generation, earning All Australian honours twice.
He played in St Kilda’s three grand final defeats in 2009 and 2010, including the famous drawn game against Collingwood where he nearly scored the matchwinning goal but the Sherrin bounced away from him.
Milne’s withdrawal comes after another St Kilda great, Indigenous icon Nicky Winmar, had his status in the Australian Football Hall of Fame revoked after he was found guilty of domestic violence offences including dragging a woman by her hair and repeatedly slamming her head into a door.
A statue of Winmar was also taken down from outside Perth’s Optus Stadium. He will be sentenced over three assault charges at a later date.
Milne was set to join Dustin Martin, Campbell Brown, Dyson Heppell, James Harmes, Daisy Thomas, Jude Bolton, team captain Brendan Fevola and coach Joel Selwood to make up “Team Victoria”.
Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin will also make his return to football in the Legends Game on Thursday August 27, suiting up for the All Stars, coached by Kane Cornes and captained by Shane Crawford.
Originally published as Stephen Milne pulled from AFL Legends game over past assault charge