Ex-AFL player Luke McGuane pleads guilty to assaulting security guard at Fat Freddy’s Bar

A former AFL player involved in a class action lawsuit against the national league has pleaded guilty to attacking a security guard at a popular Gold Coast venue. SEE THE VIDEO

A former AFL player involved in a class action lawsuit against the national league has pleaded guilty to assaulting a Gold Coast security guard.

Ex-Richmond and Brisbane player Luke McGuane was found scuffling with a security guard at Fat Freddy’s Sports Bar and Diner after 6pm on March 22, where police had been called in relation to another incident.

CCTV footage of the assault. Picture: supplied

Southport Magistrates Court was told McGuane advanced on the security guard after being asked to leave the venue, putting his hands around the other man’s neck as they struggled on the ground.

CCTV footage played in court showed police rushing to separate McGuane and his victim, who was left with swelling and scratches to his neck and surrounding areas.

Ex-AFL player Luke McGuane leaving court. Picture: Jessica Paul

It was heard McGuane had been cut off at the bar and was told he needed to leave after his father bought him another drink, with the 37-year-old initially claiming he was standing up for his dad.

The court was told McGuane – who retired from professional football in 2015 – was involved in a class action lawsuit against the AFL related to concussions, and was told only days before the assault that the proceedings would be put on hold for about 18 months.

Brisbane's Luke McGuane looks to deliver forward during the Round 22 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Brisbane Lions at Aurora Stadium in Launceston, Tasmania, Saturday, August 29, 2015. (AAP Image/Dale Cumming)

Defence lawyer Jason Jacobson said the delay frustrated his client, who received a disability pension and had been “destroyed” financially after investing significant earnings in Melbourne ventures that failed due to Covid lockdowns.

Mr Jacobson said McGuane – who had not had a drink in about nine months at the time – had been trying to convince the security guard he was not overly intoxicated, as he suffered a host of medical conditions that could make him seem more affected than he was.

“My client’s not proud of what we see in that video – it’s very much at odds with his otherwise character,” he said.

Luke McGuane of Richmond (left) tackles Joshua Bootsma of Carlton in the dying minutes of the match in the round one AFL match between Carlton and Richmond in Melbourne, Thursday, March 28, 2013. Richmond defeated Carlton 14.22 (106) to 14.17 (101). (AAP Image/Joe Castro)

“(He) has been working with his doctors for a long time now to try and get his life back – he’s effectively living as a recluse, he looks after his father, he doesn’t go out and socialise.

“He’s trying to get well - that’s all he wants.”

Acting Magistrate Sarah Thompson said she accepted the offending was out of character and that McGuane’s complex health issues – including narcolepsy and numerous mental health concerns – should exempt him from ordinarily mandatory community service.

McGuane pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm in a public place while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance and failing to leave a licensed premises.

He was placed on probation for nine months and ordered to pay $500 in compensation to his victim. No conviction was recorded.