Former Collingwood VFL player Chas Bromley pleads guilty to carjacking nurse at Northcote
A former star junior footballer, courted by AFL clubs including Carlton and Collingwood, has made explosive claims during a court appearance for a carjacking in Northcote that older players gave him cocaine.
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A former top junior footballer who was on the radar of several AFL clubs is facing possible jail time after he attacked a nurse during a violent carjacking in Northcote.
Chas Bromley, 26, from Epping, pleaded guilty in the County Court last month to carjacking and dangerous driving.
The court heard Bromley was an “exceptionally talented junior footballer” who “attracted the interest of AFL clubs”.
Bromley played TAC Cup football with the Northern Knights before he was invited to train with the Carlton Football Club, the court heard.
Bromley – through his lawyer – said he was “encouraged” to socialise with Carlton’s VFL side’s “older players” while at the club.
The court heard Bromley was offered cocaine.
His lawyer later told Leader it was “reported to him” that the older players gave Bromley the cocaine.
Carlton offered Bromley a spot on their VFL list but he opted to play for Collingwood instead.
The court heard Bromley had used meth when he attacked his victim on Evans Cres and demanded her car keys just before noon on January 4, last year.
“I’m going to need your car keys,” Bromley said.
The nurse – who had been caring for an elderly patient in the area – ran away but Bromley chased her down.
She screamed for help after Bromley stopped her from entering a nearby house.
Bromley then threw the nurse to the ground and stomped on her foot.
The pair struggled until Bromley ripped the car keys from the nurse’s hand.
She chased after him but Bromley sped away in her Holden Viva wagon.
Bromley ran a red light near Darebin Rd and collided with a BMW but drove off.
Police found the car abandoned in Thomastown early on January 6.
Investigators linked Bromley to the crime through clothing, CCTV and blood found in the car.
In her victim statement, the nurse said she is now “hyper-vigilant”, and “terrified” when approached by others.
In a recent incident, the victim said she ran across a busy road and into oncoming traffic after she was approached on the street by a woman.
She is also constantly “frightened” of being robbed.
Bromley, a midfielder, played for Collingwood’s VFL side between 2013 and 2014, the court heard.
Bromley – who hasn’t played football since 2017 – wants to resume his career once the matter is behind him.
Bromley’s lawyer said his client’s “considerable talent” could take him to the top (AFL), the VFL or a metro or country league.
Bromley – who was smoking a “few points” of meth each day in the lead-up to the offending – accepted responsibility but cannot recollect the carjacking.
The court heard there was evidence Bromley had an underlying mental health issue at the time of offending.
Bromley’s bail was extended until sentencing on June 18.
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