St George Illawarra star Junior Amone arrested over alleged hammer attack

St George Illawarra Dragons star Junior Amone has been charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, a month after his father was charged and refused bail over the same incident.

Junior Amone of the Dragons has been charged over an alleged attack on a man at an Illawarra home.

St George Illawarra Dragons young gun Junior Amone is tonight behind bars, bail refused, over his alleged involvement in a shocking armed attack at a home south of Wollongong last month which left a roofing contractor with extensive injuries to his wrists, arms and hip.

The NRL star was arrested at his Warrawong home on Thursday and taken to Wollongong Police Station where he was charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm (in company), destroy property and intimidation.

He was remanded in custody by police and fronted Wollongong Local Court on Thursday afternoon where he did not apply for bail and it was formally refused by a magistrate.

The Daily Telegraph understands Amone will remain in the holding cells below the police station overnight and will front court again on Friday, where he is expected to make a formal bid for bail.

The Dragons issued a statement a short time ago saying the matter has been referred to the NRL integrity unit and they would not be providing further comment.

Junior Amone of the Dragons has been charged over an alleged assault in November. Picture: Brett Hemmings

The young playmaker’s arrest comes a month after his father, Talatau Dal Amone, was charged over the same incident.

He was refused bail at the time and remains in custody on remand.

In documents tendered to the court during the father’s bail application last month, police alleged two male roofing contractors were working at a property in Vermont Rd when they became involved in an argument with Amone Senior over vehicles being parked on a nature strip.

Police alleged the argument escalated into a physical altercation, when the father and son, along with a third unidentified man, walked to one of the vehicles and smashed the front windscreen.

The court heard the tradie called triple-0 as the trio allegedly started climbing a ladder onto the roof of a home where the two colleagues were working.

The group argued before one of the trio hit the tradie with the hammer, police alleged.

The two contractors were allegedly hit with a hammer during the incident. Picture: Mark Metcalfe

The 38-year-old victim fell from the two-storey roof, landing on an air conditioning unit, causing serious injuries including fractured arms and damage to his hip.

He ran from the scene and was chased by two men on foot, police will allege.

The victim was treated by NSW Ambulance officers before being taken to Wollongong Hospital for treatment.

Amone Senior was arrested soon after the assault and charged.

Police established Strike Force Chicholm, involving Lake Illawarra detectives, to further investigate the incident.

They will allege the younger Amone was identified as a suspect involved in the assault.

Detectives visited his address on Thursday morning and placed him under arrest.

Amone made headlines earlier this week after he was involved in a fight with team-mate Zac Lomax.

Footage taken by a St George Illawarra fan showed Lomax and Amone having to be separated after a confrontation during the club’s three-day camp at Mollymook, south of Wollongong.

The 20-year-old local junior has progressed into the NRL side on a consistent basis this year, producing 11 try assists in 20 appearances.

He re-signed with St George Illawarrra for a further year, keeping him at the club until at least the end of 2024.

Amone also made his Test debut for Tonga in the mid-year clash with New Zealand, and is likely to feature in the upcoming Rugby League World Cup.

Police have released a CCTV still of a man they want to speak with about the incident.

Meanwhile, police are continuing their investigations into the alleged attack and have released a CCTV image of a man they believe may be able to assist them with inquiries.

He is described as Caucasian in appearance, about 175cm-180cm tall and of medium build. He was wearing grey shorts with black and white trim and white and black shoes.

Anyone who recognises the male in the CCTV is urged to contact Lake Illawarra Police on 4232 5599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.