Bombshell details have emerged in court surrounding a Boxing Day brawl that allegedly involved AFL stars Steven May and Dion Prestia.
The alleged incident first unfolded outside of the Continental Hotel in Sorrento, Victoria, on December 26 in 2024, which resulted in one man being hospitalised.
In January, both footballers asked for the host of charges to be withdrawn at a hearing, with Prestia, 33, releasing a statement where he said he ‘was not even physically present when it (brawl) apparently took place’.
The decorated Richmond midfielder added he ‘will strenuously defend’ his name after he was charged.
Despite the denials of the footy stars, the prosecution this week alleged May was at the centre of the fracas, News Corp reported.
May – who won a flag with the Melbourne Demons in 2021 – allegedly ‘put his arm around’ a woman while her boyfriend was nearby which sparked a verbal war of words.
Bombshell details have emerged in court surrounding a Boxing Day brawl that allegedly involved AFL stars Steven May (pictured) and Dion Prestia
The alleged brawl is understood to have taken place at the Continental Hotel in Sorrento. Both May and Prestia have denied the charges against them, saying they ‘were not present’
The key defender, 34, then allegedly approached the same group of locals later in the night, with another verbal altercation unfolding.
Local man Storm Bobridge – who was fined $7500 in court on Thursday after pleading guilty to affray – then allegedly hit one of May and Prestia’s friends.
A wild brawl allegedly followed on the street, which was recalled in the Dromana Magistrates’ Court on February 5.
‘May grabbed Bobridge and struck him to the head, causing both groups to start throwing punches,’ the prosecutor said.
‘The group of males with May and Prestia (then) swarmed Bobridge…and (friend) Will Salter then goes to assist Bobridge and as he does this, he senses someone coming from his left-hand side.
‘He turns to see Prestia coming towards him and punch him to the left eye area.’
Bobridge sustained a concussion and damaged his left knee in the brawl, while Salter is reportedly losing sight in his left eye after his retina was detached.
His eye socket was also fractured.
Richmond midfielder Dion Prestia stated he ‘will strenuously defend’ his name after he was charged last October
In a separate alleged incident, police reportedly visited Steven May’s (pictured) house recently after ‘somebody close’ to the troubled defender made the call to police
In October, May was charged with affray while Prestia was charged with recklessly causing serious injury, intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury and affray.
It comes as May faces an uncertain future at the Demons after the club reportedly asked why police paid a visit to his home last week.
The Herald Sun claimed officers made their way to May’s residence after ‘somebody close’ to the key defender rang police.
The outlet added the AFL club has since approached May, asking him to provide details about why officers attended his home.
A club spokesperson said: ‘The Melbourne Football Club is aware that Victoria Police attended the home of Steven May last week.
‘The club is not in a position to comment at this stage.’
No charges were laid and there is no suggestion by the Daily Mail of any wrongdoing by May.
7News reporter Mitch Cleary revealed this week May has not returned to training and has ‘taken indefinite leave from the club.’
The case involving May and Prestia was adjourned ahead of a contest mention hearing at Frankston Magistrates Court on February 20.
