- Has face Bendigo court over alleged offence in regional Victoria
AFL Hall of Famer Nicky Winmar has told a Victorian court he was acting in self-defence when he allegedly dragged a woman by her hair during a confrontation in regional Victoria.
It comes as Winmar also prepares to fight a separate case in which he is accused of strangling another woman in Melbourne.
Winmar, 60, appeared via video link for a recent court hearing relating to the regional incident, where magistrates were told he would contest the allegations and rely on ‘self-defence’ as part of his case.
Police allege the former St Kilda and Western Bulldogs player twisted a woman’s arm and dragged her by the hair during an incident in Cohuna, in the state’s north-west, on May 14 last year.
He has been charged with assault and intentionally causing injury.
The case was briefly delayed while prosecutors and defence lawyers discussed procedural issues, but the court was told those discussions had finished and the matter would move to a contested hearing.
Former AFL star Nicky Winmar departs from the Melbourne Magistrates Court in November
The former St Kilda and Western Bulldogs star is facing two separate allegations of attacks on women
That hearing has been scheduled to run over two days in Bendigo on May 4 and 5.
Winmar did not speak during the short appearance, with his lawyer confirming on his behalf that the allegations would be disputed.
His bail was extended until the next court date.
At the same time, a separate case is progressing in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court over an alleged incident on July 18, 2025.
In that matter, Winmar is charged with strangling a woman and faces two additional assault counts.
He denies those allegations and plans to fight the charges at a one-day contested hearing set for August 11.
Magistrates have ruled that the Melbourne and regional cases will be handled separately.
It has not been clarified in court whether the complainants in the two matters are the same person, and authorities have not provided further public detail.
Winmar will return to court in Bendigo in May for his next hearing into the allegations
Winmar remains one of the most recognisable Indigenous footballers of his era, having played more than 200 AFL games and earned multiple individual honours.
He was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2022.
He is also widely known for his stand against racism during a 1993 match, when he lifted his jumper and pointed to his skin in a moment that became a powerful image in Australian sport.
Prosecutors say they will present evidence at the contested hearings, while the defence maintains the facts are disputed.
The court reminded those present that the charges are allegations and that Winmar is entitled to the presumption of innocence.
Both matters are expected to return to court later this year, with proceedings ongoing.
