Australian Football League icon Nicky Winmar is preparing to formally contest serious criminal allegations in a Melbourne court. The former St Kilda champion faces charges of assault and choking stemming from an incident alleged to have occurred on July 18 of last year.
Winmar appeared remotely via video link before Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday, where his legal representative, prominent barrister Dermott Dann KC, indicated the 60-year-old would dispute all allegations. The court has scheduled a comprehensive hearing to examine the evidence, set to occur approximately eight months from now.
The specific charges include two counts of assault and one count of unlawfully choking, strangling or suffocating another person without legal justification. These charges were formally filed against Winmar on July 19, 2023, following police investigation into the alleged altercation.
Beyond his current legal challenges, Winmar remains celebrated for his groundbreaking 251-game AFL career spanning twelve seasons, during which he earned All Australian honors twice. His legacy extends beyond athletic achievement to social significance—his iconic stance against racial abuse during a 1993 match was permanently commemorated with a bronze statue outside Perth’s Optus Stadium.
The court has scheduled Winmar’s next appearance for August 11 as proceedings continue to develop.