In a shocking turn of events, AFL legend Nicky Winmar is set to contest serious allegations related to an assault on a woman, including claims that he intentionally choked her. The former St Kilda star, now 60 years old, participated in a brief remote hearing held at the Melbourne Magistrates Court this morning.
Known by his legal name, Neil Winmar, he was charged in July with two counts of assault and one count of intentionally choking, or "strangling or suffocating," a woman. According to the charge documents, these incidents are said to have occurred on July 18, 2025, in Melbourne.
Prosecutors had previously suggested that they might combine this case with other separate charges Winmar faces in Kerang, where he is accused of twisting a woman's arm and dragging her by the hair in Cohuna, located northwest of Echuca, on May 14, 2025. However, the specifics regarding whether there is one alleged victim or multiple victims remain unclear due to the redacted nature of the charge sheets.
During today’s court proceedings, Winmar's barrister, Dermot Dann KC, informed the court that prosecutors would no longer pursue the option of merging the two cases. Instead, the charges will be addressed independently, with Winmar facing the Melbourne charges separately from those in Kerang. Dann noted that the allegations in Melbourne could not be settled at this time, and Winmar intends to contest these "serious" accusations in a formal hearing. He further indicated that the details surrounding the case are subject to dispute.
As a result, Magistrate Kieran Gilligan has scheduled a one-day hearing for August 11 at the Melbourne Magistrates Court. Winmar remained silent throughout the brief session, during which his bail was extended until that date. Additionally, he is expected to appear in Kerang Magistrates Court on January 29 concerning the allegations from the Cohuna incident.
Winmar made history as the first Aboriginal footballer to reach 200 games in the league, concluding his illustrious career with 230 games for St Kilda and another 21 for the Western Bulldogs. Throughout his time in the sport, he bravely confronted numerous instances of racism, notably in 1993 when he famously stood before a crowd of Collingwood supporters who were abusing him, lifted his jersey, and proudly pointed to his skin.
Currently, Winmar is also co-leading a significant class action lawsuit against the AFL for racism in the Victorian Supreme Court. This ongoing legal battle adds another layer of complexity to his already tumultuous situation.
