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🇦🇺 Australia /Crime & Justice

Court asked to jail disgraced AFL great Nicky Winmar for assaulting woman

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Prosecutors are seeking a jail sentence for disgraced AFL great Nicky Winmar for assaulting a woman.
  • Winmar was found guilty last month of bashing the woman in Cohuna in 2025, smashing her head against a door and pulling her hair.
  • His defense argued for a community corrections order, citing his past achievements and rehabilitation efforts.

Prosecutors are urging a jail term for former AFL star Nicky Winmar, who was convicted last month of assaulting a woman in Cohuna in 2025. Winmar, recently stripped of his place in the league's Hall of Fame, faces a critical juncture as the court considers his sentencing.

Engaging in that conduct was a conscious and persistent choice.

— Annina TropeaThe prosecutor argued for a jail sentence, emphasizing Winmar's deliberate actions during the assault.

The assault involved Winmar smashing the woman's head against a door, pulling her hair, and twisting her arm. The victim described the attack as leaving her "a shadow of the person I once was," experiencing extreme pain and significant impacts on her mental health, including paranoia and fear.

They can erase his statue and they can erase his names from their hall of fames. What they'll never be able to erase … in the hearts of minds of the many, many people who care about racism and intolerance and injustice, is the memory of his courageous stand that day at Victoria Park.

— Dermot Dann KCWinmar's barrister contrasted the stripping of his accolades with the enduring impact of his anti-racism stance.

Prosecutor Annina Tropea argued that Winmar's history of violence necessitates jail time to ensure he understands the consequences of his actions. "Engaging in that conduct was a conscious and persistent choice," she told the Bendigo court. However, Winmar's barrister, Dermot Dann KC, contended that prison should be a "last resort," advocating for a community corrections order as a more suitable punishment.

I felt extreme pain in my arm, leaving me unable to complete daily duties or simple tasks.

— VictimThe victim described the physical impact of the assault.

Dann highlighted Winmar's storied AFL career, particularly his courageous stand against racism in 1993 when he famously lifted his jumper and pointed to his skin. He noted that while Winmar's statue has been removed and his accolades rescinded, the memory of his actions against racism remains. Dann also cited Winmar's difficult upbringing, ongoing struggles with depression, PTSD, and alcohol disorders, and his significant rehabilitation efforts as factors for the court to consider.

The visions and reminders of being overpowered and powerless are so detailed.

— VictimThe victim detailed the psychological trauma experienced after the attack.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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