Lyon backs Milne as AFL finals loom - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Lyon backs Milne as AFL finals loom

By Roger Vaughan 17/08/2011 05:56:02 PM Comments (0)

The St Kilda "bubble" is back, with coach Ross Lyon declaring this week's dramas surrounding Stephen Milne will not distract his AFL team.

Lyon strongly supported Milne on Wednesday and was clearly contemptuous of the Collingwood fans who taunted Milne with "rapist" chants during last Friday night's game.

The Saints coach again referred to the bubble, a term used at the club last year as they endured a succession of problems on the way to drawing an epic grand final against the Magpies and then losing the replay.

"He's fine ... there's a media bubble forming around what happened last week," Lyon said on Wednesday.

"As a representative of St Kilda, I will talk about what Stephen Milne means to us - he's an incredibly consistent performer, really valued around the club, he's a life blood of the club.

"He contributes not only on but off the field in a lot of endeavours for the club, he's a wonderful family man and we value him incredibly highly.

"It says more about the people who are levelling those sorts of chants than it does about Stephen."

Lyon added the club was supporting Milne and said this latest saga would only harden them more.

Police investigated and cleared Milne in 2004 over sexual assault claims.

"He's left a mark on league footy that not many people can ... he's continuing to build on that," Lyon said.

"We'll certainly rally in support around Stephen, as I would (for) any player on our list.

"If anything, it just steels our resolve."

The Saints have rallied from their poor start to the season, winning six-straight before losing to Collingwood by 19 points.

They are sixth on 10 wins and a draw and on Sunday will play Sydney at ANZ Stadium.

The Swans look vulnerable after last weekend's poor performance against Richmond, but will be desperate.

The Saints have a solid buildup to the finals, with North Melbourne and Carlton to come after this weekend.

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