What we're talking about

b on Attendance not worrying Demitriou Andrew Demitriou says he's not concerned Neither is the rest of the public HAHAHAHA. more
Jason on Attendance not worrying Demitriou Football has become a very soft game and is nothing like traditional VFL. A game that was once played by men as a contact ... more
Mylene on Attendance not worrying Demitriou There's an extra team in the competition and a every team gets a by. Factor that in and there's actually more people ... more
gbh on Time to punish abusive AFL fans? Grow a pair, Seb. more
Taking the Mikie on Time to punish abusive AFL fans? It is unAustralian NOT to abuse the umpire at an AFL game. But one should do so politely, caringly, without malice or foul ... more
col on Demetriou 'doesn't get it' Can we the people of the game get rid of Demetriou more
col on Time to punish abusive AFL fans? Hey Demetriou start selling good food at the footy and the behavior will change, Sell crap and you get crap more
Enoch Powell on Time to punish abusive AFL fans? In this country we are free to yell and scream if we want to, please don't try to take this right away from us, it is bad ... more
Mark on Demetriou 'doesn't get it' Adolf Demetriou should be a dictator in the Middle East.The play is very fast now and things happen in a split second. I am ... more
ian on Demetriou 'doesn't get it' Get a real job andy,you get paid more than a P/M what a joke. more
Susan on Demetriou 'doesn't get it' Join the sad fans who are mourning the death of the tackle this week and wear a black armband to your game. All games, not ... more
Chris on The tackle heard around the world The match review panel is a joke the tackle itself was within the rules of the game, whether an injury is sustained from the ... more
Ken of Euroa on The tackle heard around the world Australian Rules Football is the greatest game in the world. We have a well run competition with great stadiums and amazing ... more
brendan cohen on The tackle heard around the world That was a perfect tackle.If the AFL uphold the suspension, then the AFL should be dissolved; and all the footballers should ... more
Pedro on The tackle heard around the world WHO CARES, last week this mob were back stabbing the coach!! more
Matt - proudly Un-Australian on The tackle heard around the world "Heard around the world"...hahahaha sorry to break it to to old white bogans from 3AW but nobody around the world has heard ... more
Kelli Mcleod on The tackle heard around the world The AFL have no credibility. Inconsistent tribunal decisions, three weeks for a good tackle is a disgrace. Umpires on ... more
Steve on The tackle heard around the world If this was a North player Mitchel would not have given it air time... more
Simon on The tackle heard around the world I barrack for St. Kilda and I think that Jack Trengrove was VERY stiff with this decision. His tackle was a perfect example ... more
Harvey on North Melbourne getting left behind Congratulations, another person taking an easy pot shot at my club. I'll think you'll find that we're doing everything that ... more

Andrew Lovett sacked: Caroline Wilson

Posted by: 3AW Radio | 16 February, 2010 - 2:41 PM

St Kilda has sacked Andrew Lovett the day after Victoria Police charged the former Essendon bad boy with rape.

3AW Football's Caroline Wilson phoned Denis Walter before the Saints confirmed the news in a packed media conference on Tuesday afternoon.

Lovett was charged yesterday stemming from allegations made by a woman who claims she was sexually assaulted by the now sacked Saint in December last year.

The woman was treated by paramedics after the alleged attack in Port Melbourne.

St Kilda said a 'series of incidents' led to it axing Lovett but would not reveal if any other Saints player was with him on the night of the alleged attack.

3AW.com.au will publish the full Saints media conference after it has been completed.

ST KILDA STATEMENT:

St Kilda Football Club today confirms the termination of the employment of recent recruit Andrew Lovett, effective immediately.

During Andrew's short period of employment with St Kilda, he engaged in a series of acts and omissions in breach of his employment contract, entitling the Club to regard his employment as at an end.

The St Kilda Football Club has relied on specific clauses within Andrew Lovett's Standard Playing Contract and the AFL Players Code of Conduct, to permit termination of contract for breach of such clauses.

Following Andrew's previous arrest in November 2009, a recent Victoria Police investigation and the subsequent rape charge brought against Andrew, the Club formed the view that Andrew’s conduct had brought the Saints into disrepute under his Standard Playing Contract, which entitled the Club to terminate his employment.

The Club would like to emphasise that all people charged with a criminal offence are entitled to the presumption of innocence. The Saints' decision is not based on whether or not Andrew Lovett is innocent or guilty of the charge. That was not part of the Club's decision making process and is for the Court to decide.

St Kilda CEO Michael Nettlefold said: "During Andrew's short tenure with the Club, on a number of occasions he engaged in actions that were failures to comply with our standards of expected behavioral conduct. These failures related to his training commitments and a failure to contact Club Officials in a situation where he should have done so.

"We simply could not ignore such breaches. Nor could we ignore the damage being done to St Kilda's reputation and decided unanimously as a Club to terminate Andrew Lovett’s employment with the Saints."

"This is undoubtedly a difficult time for all concerned, most particularly Andrew and the woman who brought the complaint to Victoria Police."

St Kilda has kept the AFL fully briefed from the outset of this matter and has worked diligently and cooperatively with all parties concerned, including Victoria Police.

The Club now focuses on its upcoming Round 1 NAB Cup clash against Collingwood this Friday night at Etihad Stadium.

RELATED AUDIO:

PALYING NOW: 3AW Football's Caroline Wilson phoned Denis Walter to break the news.

What's next for charged Lovett?

UPDATED: Sports Today investigates what happens to Andrew Lovett now he has been charged with rape in relation to an alleged incident in Port Melbourne late last year. More here.