St Kilda great Nicky Winmar has faced court on violence charges.
Winmar, 59, appeared briefly via video link at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning where an application by police to revoke the former footballer’s bail and take him into custody was struck out.
St Kilda great Nicky Winmar has faced court over assault allegations.Credit: AFL Photos
Documents released by the court show Winmar is facing three charges of violent assault for an alleged incident that occurred on July 18.
The court was also told Winmar had recently been linked up to the Court Integrated Services Program (known as CISP), which provides support and coordinates referrals for people on bail for a range of issues spanning from drug and alcohol treatment referrals to Koori-specific services.
“He was only very recently placed on the program,” his lawyer, Tessa Theocharous, told the court.
“He’s now attended his initial appointment and will have a further appointment today ... so that a more fulsome plan can be prepared.”
Theocharous requested that Winmar’s matters before the court be adjourned until next month.
Asked by the magistrate if he understood the court proceedings and that he would have to reappear in court in August, Winmar nodded and responded, “Yes, sir”.
In March this year, it was revealed Winmar may help lead a landmark class action against the AFL for allegedly failing to protect players from racial abuse on and off the field.
The lawyer running the class action on behalf of the players, Michel Margalit, said Winmar was a group member in the suit and was willing to become a co-plaintiff in the case.
Winmar was subjected to incidents of racial vilification throughout his career, most notably against Collingwood at Victoria Park in 1993 when he lifted his jumper and, facing the crowd, pointed to his skin.
Winmar would go on to be among the greatest Indigenous footballers in Australian history, playing 251 AFL games in total – the first Indigenous player to play more than 200.
Winmar, who is yet to enter a plea in relation to the charges, will face court again on August 28.
Get the day’s breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. Sign up to receive our Evening Edition newsletter.