OK. Let's get the formalities out of the way.

I am a St Kilda supporter and in that sense, yes, it's personal.

Regardless of that, the truth is impervious to my humble aspirations. And one thing we learnt from Friday's torrid encounter between St Kilda and Collingwood is clear.

Even with the kindest interpretation, Mick Malthouse lied.

Following the spiteful first quarter of the game between St.kilda and Collingwood, Malthouse engaged in an obvious and very direct verbal exchange with St Kilda's Stephen Milne that was captured clearly on television cameras.

Milne, who is the object of innumerable taunts wherever he plays, took particular objection to what was said. So much so, that much to Collingwood's detriment, he was inspired to turn in one of his finest performances. In the absence of injured skipper Nick Reiwoldt, Milne was the lightning rod up forward that helped the Saints to a famous victory.

Check the record. These are the facts.

As is this from Michael Malthouse. When asked about the quarter time incident directly after the game he said: "I didn't have words to the Saints' players ... let's get that right from the start."

Mick, let's get this straight from the start. That was a bold, deliberate and blatant lie.

Because late on Sunday night, Michael Malthouse issued an apology through the club. "I apologise to Stephen Milne for comments I made in the heat of the moment, which were wrong and I retract them. I accept that after 27 years as a coach I should know better than to respond to incidents like this," the statement read.

Milne acknowledged he was complicit in stoking the fires, questioning Malthouse's record and age, whilst reports have circulated that he questioned Collinwood assistant coach and former player, Paul Licuria's sexuality.

The difference is, Malthouse, as senior coach and with aspirations to be an elder statesman for the game, should have known better.

To raise the 2004 allegations like he did (Milne has no conviction or criminal charges against his name) smacked of the actions of an adolescent schoolyard bully.

All of this, from the coach that wanted to shake hands with the umpires pre-game to promote harmony and fair play.

Malthouse is a man who no doubt understands the importance of procedural fairness and the rule of law. He certainly made the case for it in relation to Alan Didak and Heath Shaw in regards to their various misdemeanours.

He wasn't prepared to follow through on his conviction in regards to Milne.

It's coming to a close for Malthouse. His last flag came in 1994, when Paul Keating was Prime Minister, "Muriel's Wedding" was killing it at the box office and our telephone numbers went to eight digits.

Maybe that's what is at the heart of it all. Despite the cult of Mick that runs deep inside footy's "beltway", the emperor has no clothes.