Has Lovett been effectively sacked?

[White Winmar]

Has Lovett effectively been sacked already? As he is suspended indefinitely, pending the outcome of a police investigation, he may not return to the club or use its facilities in the meantime. Given that these investigations are complex and invariably take time, the effect on his pre-season preparation will be catastrophic, even if he is cleared. The best he can hope for is that the police find he has no case to answer. The worst is that there is sufficient evidence to charge him and he will at some stage face the courts. With the current state of the system, any hearing will be at least 12 months away, given the process of mention hearings before an actual "contest" eventuates. So where does the club go from here? Will he be left in "limbo" on the list, but unable to train and play?

What happens if he is not cleared and is charged? Does the club then "officially" sack him? What then of the "presumption of innocence", even if he has been charged with a very serious offence? There are currently two other AFL players who are awaiting trial for serious assaults. Their cases will be heard during the coming season. They have both been retained on their respective clubs' lists pending the outcome of the trials. Both are County Court level hearings so they are very serious. One involves a home invasion scenario.

I have no sympathy for anyone who sexually assaults someone. I feel for the victim and all others who have been "drawn" into the investigation. It seems to me that the action taken against Lovett must be based on information not yet publicly known, or the club has decided to take a strong, albeit harsh line with someone who was already on a warning and has, to say the least, a poor track record in the behavioural area. Either way, I don't see a way back for him, unless he is totally exonerated. Even then, it appears as though the act of unwanted drawing attention to the club may have burnt his last bridge. If the club was to reinstate him pending the outcome of a court case, would it then be seen to be backing down from its original hard-line stance? Anyone else have any thoughts?

[remboy]

I thought it was interesting the club went down the path of an immediate, indefinte suspension rather than pursuing the "innocent until proven guilty path" as they did with Milne and Montagna.
It might be that the club is taking a hard line given this is the second incident he's been involved in since he joined the club. Or it could be that they have an idea of what the outcome of the police investigation will be.
Guess we'll just have to wait and see but it certainly stuffs up his pre season and will make it hard to catch up to the rest of the group.

[fingers]

He has been suspended so his sacking has been less than effective.

[plugger66]

Bock was suspended and then allowed to train before that court case took place. There are certain saints players who know about this incident that would have been interviewed by the club by now. Depending on what they said will have a huge bearing on whether he ever plays for us. They will decide well and truely before the case goes to court because that could take months.

[plugger66]

Has anyone got air freshener I could please borrow?

You post like Jody played. Poorly.

[SaintWodonga]

Let's hope some sense prevails. Take a deep breath and see what comes out officially.

[ausfatcat]

There has been plenty of plays "indefinantly suspended" that has turned out to be a couple of weeks.

Now I would presume that Lovett even thou suspended will still be required to do a training program and will have contact with the fitness staff. Being a high profile case the decision to lay charges or not lay charges will be made quicker than they normally would be (It wouldn't surprise me if we heard something either way in the next week or two).

[plugger66]

Thanks Plugger66!

I may post poorly but at least my name starts with a capital letter!

Grade 4 stuff d*ck Head!

Excellent come back.

[To the top]

Currently, except for the fact that a complaint has been made to Victoria Police, Victoria Police are to investigate the complaint and St Kilda have suspended Lovett indefinately we rely on media reports.

In my view it is only common sense in the interests of both the Club and Lovett to take Lovett out of the public eye at this stage and you do that by relieving him of public appearances - where, no doubt, the media will approach him relentlessly in an attempt to have him make comment.

Indefinately is because these matters take time - if we are to believe media reports the woman has not yet been interviewed.

The indefinate time will crystalise when and if any Charges are laid, and Lovett pleads in the event Charges are laid.

Then decisions will need to be made.

No doubt, in his own interests and in the Club's interests, he is continuing a training regime.

IF this matter proceeds to Court, and given the nature of the allegation, the decision of the Court will either allow him to continue his career at St Kilda or terminate it.

On the issue of relationships with team mates, well footy Clubs are complex entities pandering as they do to 40 or more egos so not everyone gets on with everyone else, and they never will.

Look at McLeod and Edwards at Adelaide.

Professionalism should overcome personal opinions - and the Club is bigger than any player.

Media reports have it that the complaint to Victoria Police was not made by the woman, but by her ex-boyfriend, an AFL footballer at another Club.

This is not to degrade the nature of the complaint but merely to emphasise that we, as members of the public and having a common interest being St Kilda FC, know nothing of what is alleged at this juncture, and we will not know anything until and if Charges are lodged and then defended if a defence is mounted.

IF this matter proceeds there will be forensic presentation and defence of every movement along the time line until and including the alleged offence being committed.

The time between allegedly leaving the hotel and the alleged telephone call to the AFL footballer will be critical - and I understand from media reporting that this period of time is quite short.

As I have said elsewhere, we all have an interest in justice not only being seen to be done but being done.

Nothing in life is fool proof, including the justice system, so we have to place our trust in those charged with making decision.

There is an appeal process - as in the Bird matter.

We commentators will move on to the next subject, but the parties involved will have to deal with the outcomes of this circumstance for the rest of their lives because fact says that mud sticks in such matters, regardless.

And, if there are contested Charges resulting from this, plenty of mud will fly in the direction of both parties.

That is the nature of such cases.

So, whilst our interest remains if he will play for St Kilda and contributes, there are far different matters on the table for the 2 people involved.

So, in fairness to both of them, we should sit and wait and listen.

Then leave any decision to be made to those charged with making such decision if that is the course of these matters.

[Eastern]

It was reported in the Sunday Herald-Sun that Lovett had denied any wrong doing but "Broke Down" in front of Team Mates before police arrived. They are also saying that they can reveal "Lovett allegedly raped a woman in the bed of a saints team mate as she slept" . That is a VERY SERIOUS allegation in anyone's language.

For a major organisation like News Limited to print this they would have to be sure of their facts, and possibly have had unconfirmed confirmation from Vic Police and/or the AFL- St Kilda FC. Also, this alleged incident took place at the home of two St Kilda team mates (confirmed in both Melbourne Major Dailies), meaning that St Kilda FC would be in possession of many of the facts in this case, having interviewed them.

We can speculate as much as we like as to why St Kilda FC took the stance that they did but we DON'T know what they based their decisions on or how permanent the decision is.

Apart from allowing the judicial process to take its course we should also be mindful of the democratic process at St Kilda FC. We, the members elect a board who in turn appoint our club executives who make these decisions. I BELIEVE WE SHOULD TRUST OUR EXECUTIVES (CEO) to make the correct decisions !!

[skeptic]

ne1 know which team mates?

[saint66au]

ne1 know which team mates?

...and exactly what would be achieved by saying who they were on here, apart from filling some people's insatiable appetite for gossip??

[saintspremiers]

ne1 know which team mates?

...and exactly what would be achieved by saying who they were on here, apart from filling some people's insatiable appetite for gossip??

rubbish.

It's a huge story, people like to know as much info as possible.

That's not to say that the teammates whose house it was have anything to do with it - I very much doubt that's the case.

For the club to protect the names of those other players is a fair call, but I'd like to know all the info, why not eh?

[To the top]

Eastern, many, many people sit very much higher in their seats courtesy of News Corp. and what News Corp. choose to print.

And that is before you get to Andrew Bolt!

[Bernard Shakey]

i am so disappointed i couldn't log on... hopeless drunk useless idiot....

Btw it was at fisher and grams house...

[Quixote]

Without mentioning names, ^^^^ that's what I heard too.

[saint66au]

ne1 know which team mates?

...and exactly what would be achieved by saying who they were on here, apart from filling some people's insatiable appetite for gossip??

rubbish.

It's a huge story, people like to know as much info as possible.

That's not to say that the teammates whose house it was have anything to do with it - I very much doubt that's the case.

For the club to protect the names of those other players is a fair call, but I'd like to know all the info, why not eh?

Why not?? Oh maybe so that the media dont read names here, put them ini the papers with a heading "sources at the Club" or worse "Fan site Saintsational allege that..." etc etc and cause endless amounts of grief for all concerned

Stage 2 is me or one of the other mods getting angry calls from the Club asking (and justifiably) WTF are alleged supporters of the club putting their lust for gossip ahead of the the best interests of the team they support

Thats why

[rodgerfox]

My understanding is that the senoir players weren't overly impressed with the decision to take him in the first place.

I don't think it would have taken them long to make the call to suspend him.

Will be interesting if a 'we told you so' attitude resonates throughout the club (between players and coach) this season.

Must have a few scratching their heads when guys like Dal, Milne, Max and Ball have the riot act read to them - then a dud like Lovett gets money thrown at him to join the club.

[rodgerfox]

Stage 2 is me or one of the other mods getting angry calls from the Club asking (and justifiably) WTF are alleged supporters of the club putting their lust for gossip ahead of the the best interests of the team they support

Honestly, that is one of the funniest things I've ever read.

Seriously, what do they take us for?

That is just priceless stuff.


Who do they want the cheque made out to for our memberships and reserved seats this year again?

Or is that asking for too much info? Overstepping the line perhaps??

[chook23]

My understanding is that the senoir players weren't overly impressed with the decision to take him in the first place.

I don't think it would have taken them long to make the call to suspend him.

Will be interesting if a 'we told you so' attitude resonates throughout the club (between players and coach) this season.

Must have a few scratching their heads when guys like Dal, Milne, Max and Ball have the riot act read to them - then a dud like Lovett gets money thrown at him to join the club.

What a rubbish post rodgerfox

1st..........My understanding..............

2nd.........riot act to the other 4..................FORM related on field not off

what a stupid post

[Mr Magic]

My understanding is that the senoir players weren't overly impressed with the decision to take him in the first place.

I don't think it would have taken them long to make the call to suspend him.

Will be interesting if a 'we told you so' attitude resonates throughout the club (between players and coach) this season.

Must have a few scratching their heads when guys like Dal, Milne, Max and Ball have the riot act read to them - then a dud like Lovett gets money thrown at him to join the club.

Wouldn't you just love that!

Seriously, you are worse than any carlscum or filth troll who comes on here to cause mischief.

[I Love Peter Kiel]

Good post White Winmar...you said what we were all thinking but were afraid to say: what effect will this have on Lovett's pre-season (if he is indeed to play for us) and what effect will it have on the team?

Some good points made so far.

[The Fireman]

If I was in charge and after reading out the riot act to him after his first misdemeanor I would have no hesitation doing what the club has done, the club has acted correctly in this instance .

Lovett has displayed a breach of trust.
I just can't believe our bad luck.

[saint66au]

Stage 2 is me or one of the other mods getting angry calls from the Club asking (and justifiably) WTF are alleged supporters of the club putting their lust for gossip ahead of the the best interests of the team they support

Honestly, that is one of the funniest things I've ever read.

Seriously, what do they take us for?

That is just priceless stuff.


Who do they want the cheque made out to for our memberships and reserved seats this year again?

Or is that asking for too much info? Overstepping the line perhaps??

Our??? Would you like to confirm right here and now that you are a member and reserved seat holder??? Cmon internet warrior..are you??
Not surprised by your attitude though..your comical obsession with rubbishing RL just shows in spades that its your ego first and the rest of thd universe second

[Enrico_Misso]

I just can't believe our bad luck.

It's not bad luck when you recruit someone with a "history".

More like stupidity.