The Victorian police are now involved in Andrew Lovett's AFL grievance claim, submitting that it should be on hold until after his rape trial.

The police were among several parties that made submissions to a closed hearing on Thursday night.

It is understood the police are concerned that the hearing could be prejudicial to Lovett's trial.

They made a written submission to the hearing, which lasted for more than three hours.

The grievance tribunal heard argument from St Kilda, Lovett's legal team, the AFL Players' Association and the AFL.

"The tribunal will consider the arguments and submission and will deliberate with a view towards handing down a decision next Thursday, April 1," the league said in a statement.

"The reasons for the decision will be provided to the parties involved, and the tribunal will give its consideration as whether those reasons will be made." Lovett and the AFLPA want the hearing to go ahead before his criminal case, which is due back in court on May 7 for a committal mention.

But the Saints disagree and now the police have also become involved in the controversial issue.

St Kilda sacked Lovett last month, a day after he was charged with rape.

That followed an incident in the early hours of Christmas Eve.

The Saints used their top draft pick to recruit Lovett from Essendon and he did not play a game for them.

Lovett has gone to the tribunal, seeking financial compensation from St Kilda for his dismissal.

His three-year contract with the Saints was worth just over $1 million.

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