AFL Rape allegations

***NMWBloods*** · 16 March 2004, 02:39 PM

Note that these are two separate incidents - one from the other night and one from a few years ago.

**BAM_BAM** · 16 March 2004, 03:44 PM

Yep sorry about the confusion, the Fox artcile was forwarded to me by a friend, I assumed they were the same. Only when hearing the reports on the radio, that I realised were different incidents.

***NMWBloods*** · 16 March 2004, 04:04 PM

I wouldn't be surprised if there are more out there too!

**SWANSBEST** · 16 March 2004, 04:07 PM

Footy players in sex allegations
Online Staff
March 16, 2004

St Kilda footballers Stephen Milne (left) and Leigh Montagna.
Picture: Getty Images

St Kilda football club is in damage control after confirming police are investigating two of its players over an alleged sexual assault.

The AFL club this afternoon named the players at the centre of the investigation, Stephen Milne and Leigh Montagna, at a press conference.

St Kilda chief executive Brian Waldron said the allegations were of a serious sexual nature, and had been emphatically denied by both players.

He said no charges had been laid over the allegations, which related to events on Sunday night.

Mr Waldron said the matter was in the hands of police, who would advise the players after the investigation whether charges would be laid.

He said he understood the allegations related to two women and two players.

The allegations were "vehemently denied" by both players, he said.

"Both players have fully cooperated with police and have made full statements emphatically denying the allegations," Mr Waldron told journalists.

Mr Waldron appealed that the players' reputations be considered "given that all we have are allegations".

"We ask that the media and the public respect the privacy of the players involved and to remember that a person is presumed innocent until proven otherwise."

He said the club and players regarded the allegations as extremely serious.

Earlier today, the club released a statement responding to media reports that suggested two players were under investigation.

"Reports that Justin Koschitzke was involved in any alleged incident in the past 48 hours are incorrect, any media outlet which has reported this, we request an immediate retraction of this statement," the club statement said.

A police spokesman said Brighton police were investigating an allegation of sexual assault.

The assault allegedly happened yesterday, police said. It is believed police were told the alleged incident occurred early in the morning, leading to some reports that it took place on Sunday, March 14.

St Kilda had won the pre-season Wizard Cup grand final on Saturday night.

Police would not detail the exact nature of the allegations or who was involved.

Meanwhile, in a separate case, a woman has implicated a current and prominent AFL player in an alleged pack rape.

The AFL player is alleged to have been part of a group who raped the woman a few years ago.

The woman, whose identity will be protected, says she was raped and threatened with bashing to keep her quiet.

- with AAP

Footy players in sex allegations

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/03/16/1079199207005.html

**SWANSBEST** · 16 March 2004, 04:18 PM

The following is a statement issued by St Kilda F/C.

The St Kilda Football Club confirms that the police are investigating allegations against two of our players relating to events of last Sunday evening.

The allegations are of a serious sexual nature. No charges have been laid against either player. At the conclusion of the police investigation the players will be advised if charges will be laid. The matter is in the hands of the Brighton CIB and we are not aware of their time frame.

We ask that the media and the public respect that no charges have been laid and that even if they are, a person is presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

It is our understanding that the alleged matters relate to two women and two players. One of the two women has previously met both players. This woman and her friend had seen the players at the Family Day. Later that evening they contacted the players and arranged to meet them. The women arrived in one of their own cars and met the players and drove the players to one of the player?s homes. The following day, Monday, they made allegations which are vehemently denied by both players.

Both players have fully cooperated with the Police and have made full statements, emphatically denying the allegations and are prepared to continue to assist the Police in their inquiries.

The reputations of these players are at stake. We ask the media and the public to respect the privacy of the players involved and to remember that a person is presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

Allegations of this nature are very serious and the St Kilda Football Club and the players involved regard it and will treat it as such.

We will respect and fully cooperate with the legal process.

The St Kilda Football Club has informed the AFL of these allegations and will keep the AFL updated on any further information relating to these allegations.

We ask that any media inquiries relating to these allegations be directed to Brian Waldron, via media manager Georgie Fidge.

**CureTheSane** · 16 March 2004, 04:45 PM

A person making allegations like this should be dealt with extremely harshly if they are not proven IMO.

Some money hungry person can destroy someone sprouting these sort of things.

Not to claim they are innocent, but the timing of the allegations brings doubt as to their genuinity....

**Rizzo** · 16 March 2004, 05:18 PM

Hold fire CTS. I don't anyone should be speculating about rights, wrongs or outcomes. We don't know much.

There's two incidents here.

One is the two Saints players (Stephen Milne and Leigh Montagna) and the other is from 5 years ago in a night club suspected to be in Melbourne involving a 'high profile player'.

Any idea on who the 'high profile player' is?

**TheHood** · 16 March 2004, 07:39 PM

Not trying to "duck" the question are you mate?

**CureTheSane** · 16 March 2004, 09:06 PM

Originally posted by Rizzo
Hold fire CTS. I don't anyone should be speculating about rights, wrongs or outcomes. We don't know much.

Exactly my point.

Innocent until proven guilty, yet the longer this drags on, the more guilty they will be for the rest of their lives regardless of the outcome.

Just part of modern society that ****s me...

**Wardy** · 17 March 2004, 07:31 AM

Agreed - have to wait and see, however, though it was poor form that the media put Montagna's street name in Highett in the paper.

I read with interest at St Kilda's stance that it was best to name names, and be totally open and co-operative with all investigations - big call, but I think a good one.

Perhaps Canterbury Bulldogs should take note!

**Rizzo** · 17 March 2004, 08:41 AM

Innocent until proven guilty, yet the longer this drags on, the more guilty they will be for the rest of their lives regardless of the outcome.

Agreed, but there are rarely, if ever, any winners when there are allegations of sexual misconduct/harassment/rape and it's usually the victim that cops it (again!) after being brave enough to come forward.

Mud sticks but it's usually thrown both ways.

**The Boot** · 17 March 2004, 09:22 AM

Sainters

I think the term "can of worms" comes to mind. It has always been said that - like rock & rollers - footy players with cash to burn, plenty of free time (well they used to), and not keeping your ego (or other bodily parts) in your back pocket has potenetial written all over it. Mind you, "transgressions" - as Demetriou put it - are all a reflection of society as a whole .. statistically speaking.

**CureTheSane** · 17 March 2004, 09:31 AM

I don't agree Rizzo.

I feel that as a general rule, the victim who comes forwardis better off.
Mostly because it is likely that the offender will be dealt with, and in the times where they are not for some reason, the victim MUST feel better about themselves and be abe to live a happier life than they would have had they not come forward.

Please note that my comments above are directed solely at this case, the timing of it, and the fact that high profile people are easier targets.

If anything is proven, they should be dealt with the same way as any other offender (obviously)

**JF_Bay22_SCG** · 17 March 2004, 10:16 AM

For some reason I'm feeling quite defensive about talking about this kind of thing, even when I admit I had a bit of a snigger at the Bulldogs RL.

I don't know, yes rape is a crime of the worst proportions. But bring this issue out in the open like it has been is in some way prying into the private lives of individuals. I don't know whether I feel uncomfortable about it because it casts my heros, footy stars, in a suddenly horrible light. Or because as a gay guy I prefer there to be as little spotlight on what I do in a bedroom as possible.

From what you hear, the two Sainter players were having consensual sex with two women on Sunday night. They apparently wanted to swap, to which one of the women objected. But again, this is all heresay I guess.

I feel uncomfortable with clubs like the Bulldogs slapping sex bans on players when they go away on away trips though. To me that smacks of 1920s puritanism. Players are like anyone else; if they are in the mood they will want sex. Consensual sex between two willing partners is something that to me is a very private thing. Clubs saying "thou shalt not shag" smacks of damage control of the highest order. What is next, saying you can't have sex at home on the night before a big home match?

I'm shocked though that people are so astounded that footy players do NOT screw around. With egos as big as their bodies, sporting stars are high profile celebrities who attract groupies like flies. You can only imagine what they get up to on after-season trips to Bali etc etc. And because of the tight-knit nature of football teams, what happens generally stays within the ranks of that team. Until now, that is.

Please do I NEVER want to hear of the Swans players being involved in this sort of thing EVER! For some reason that would destroy me. Or am I nieve enough to believe that our bunch of blokes are actually pretty decent guys who would never resort to this sort of thing?

JF

AFL Rape allegations

AFL Rape allegations

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