ANDREW Demetriou expects a mixed crowd response when Stephen Milne returns to action on Saturday night in the wake of his rape charge and says contingencies will be in place.

The AFL boss says it's appropriate that Milne is playing, but some negative reaction appears inevitable.

Milne has been named to return for the Saints in their round 16 clash with Carlton at Etihad Stadium after missing their past three matches when given leave after being charged with four counts of rape relating to an alleged incident in 2004.

Demetriou said on Friday it was right that Milne be allowed to play until allegations against him were tested in court.

"He's entitled to be judged innocent until proven guilty and on that basis he should be allowed to continue with his craft," Demetriou told ABC Radio on Friday.

He said likely crowd reaction had been discussed by the AFL and some contingencies had been put in place.

"I don't expect you're going to find people being kind, unkind - you're going to get mixed views," Demetriou said.

"I've got to say that Stephen Milne and the St Kilda football club are expecting that.

"They're not expecting a red-carpet treatment. They understand that this is a complex issue.

"There are people who are still outraged about this particular incident and some other people that understand that he's entitled to play football and will welcome him back.

"I'm being pragmatic here. Brutal as it sounds, he will get a mixed response and people are expecting that.

"Hopefully parents or people who are with children can explain the situation and put it into context."