As the Collingwood and St Kilda players went to their respective huddles in the round three clash between the sides at Etihad Stadium, Malthouse was seen to mouth the word ‘rapist’ at Milne. Milne avoided rape charges after an allegation against him surfaced in 2004.
Speaking to Channel Nine’s The Footy Show on Thursday night, Milne said he had been emailed an apology from Malthouse, but had not spoken directly with him.
“I haven’t tried to reach him. I got a written apology via email and that was about it. I forgive Mick for writing an apology, but that’s in Mick’s court now. He chose to write a letter and not ring,” Milne said in his first interview since the altercation.
“It is out of my court. It has been dealt with, the AFL dealt with it, St Kilda and Collingwood dealt with it, so as far as I’m concerned we’ve moved on.”
The 30-year-old, who this week plays his 200th AFL game when the Saints take on Fremantle at Subiaco Oval on Sunday, says the accusation and the subsequent fallout cut him deeply.
“Looking back at it, I was bitterly disappointed to hear that from Michael Malthouse. Of course it hurt. I looked over and saw it was Michael. It was a bit of a shock, but I think what happens on the field stays on the field, I’m a firm believer of that,” he said.
“I think when coaches and administration and staff get involved in that kind of thing, it should be left to the players and deal with it after.
“It was a tough week for me, but I think it was a lot tougher for my mum and dad and my family. I’ve got an eight-year-old son, so he goes to school and got asked a few questions, little things like that. It was a tough week and one that I have come out the other side a lot stronger. I’ve learned a lot of things from that work.”
Milne, who has earned the nickname 'Yapper' from his teammates for his constant chirping, says he is regularly subjected to similar abuse from opposition supporters.
“What comes around goes around. The fans give a little bit and I give a little bit back. It’s all part of the game. Some of the things people say are probably not appropriate and wrong. But they choose to say that and I choose to blow them a kiss or give them the thumbs up or celebrate a goal a little more,” he said.
“I would say just keep it within the limits I suppose. If you don’t want your mum and dad to hear something like that, maybe don’t say it, because I wouldn’t want my mum and dad to hear what they say.”
