Teresa Morrissey: Former Young Matilda appeals conviction after biting Manly Wharf Hotel staff

A former Young Matilda and professional female soccer player has made a bid to quash convictions imposed for biting two people and kicking a police officer when getting booted from a Manly bar.

Professional soccer player Teresa Morrissey outside Manly Local Court on May 17, where she was convicted of assaulting hotel staff and police while intoxicated. Picture: Manly Daily

A former Young Matilda and professional female soccer player has made a bid to quash convictions imposed for biting two people and kicking a police officer when getting booted from a Manly bar.

Teresa Morrissey, 23, who once played goalkeeper in the under 19s Young Matildas squad and was most recently contracted with the Western Sydney Wanderers was convicted at Manly Local Court in May after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm; assault police officer; common assault; destroy or damage property and; fail to leave premises when required.

Morrissey’s lawyer Claire Coelho told Downing Centre District Court on Monday she was hoping to re-sign with the club for the upcoming season.

Court documents revealed Morrissey had been at Manly Wharf Bar since the afternoon on April 9, before a female compliance officer approached her at 7pm.

She told the staff member: “I’m not drunk”, but was asked to leave by a security guard.

Professional soccer player Teresa Morrissey. Picture: Manly Daily

Police stated that Morrissey tried to run back into the bar area before she was put in a “bear hug” as she struggled with the security guard.

Morrissey “screamed uncontrollably”, threw a drink at the guard and pulled a metal door frame from the wall, causing $1000 damage, the court previously heard.

The compliance officer and the security guard then held her to the floor. Police stated she then bit the female employee on the wrist for several seconds and then managed to bite the middle finger of the security guard.

As she was being placed in a police vehicle, she kicked an officer’s arm and hand.

After reading material on Monday, Judge Warwick Hunt said he was giving both parties a “provisional indication of the matter”, saying it was “just a bit early” to determine whether he would revoke Morrissey’s conviction.

When comparing how Morrissey presented herself in court to her photograph when she was arrested, Judge Hunt said it was “pretty clear” she was a “different person”.

Teresa Morrissey played for the Western Sydney Wanderers. Picture: Western Sydney Wanderers

He said if Morrissey was to remain “offence free, clean and sober” it would work in her favour.

Judge Hunt said while it didn’t mean he wouldn’t “reimpose convictions”, he set aside the magistrate’s orders and quashed the conviction. He placed Morrissey on bail to “test her commitment to rehabilitation”.

While Ms Coelho said her client’s “contract negotiations” were up in the air, with the season was due to start in October and could require Morrissey travelling to New Zealand.

Judge Hunt said the matter would return in December so Morrissey “doesn’t have it on her mind for the whole of the season”.

As part of the 23-year-old’s bail conditions, she must be of good behaviour and abstain from alcohol and prohibited drugs.

Morrissey will return to the same court on December 12 for a decision.