Tribunal to hear Lovett case

Fallen AFL star Andrew Lovett's battle for financial security has been given a boost after the AFL grievances tribunal agreed it would hear his case against his sacking from St Kilda and subsequent loss of a million-dollar contract if player and club couldn't come to an agreement.

The tribunal said it would also hear Lovett's initial grievance about being banned from training with the Saints before he was axed.

After sacking Lovett, St Kilda claimed that as he was no longer on its list, he was no longer an AFL player and therefore his grievance was void.

However, the tribunal found that Lovett was still a listed and contracted player.

Lovett was initially banned from training with the Saints while he was under investigation for an alleged rape that occurred in December before being sacked by the club a day after he was formally charged last week.

The Saints claimed Lovett's sacking had nothing to do with him being charged and was related to numerous infractions of the club's behavioural standards.

The 27-year-old was traded to St Kilda from Essendon in October on a lucrative three-year deal.