Ex-Essendon footballer reached into man’s car and smacked him twice across the face

Disgraced former AFL star Andrew Lovett has admitted to bashing a motorist over a minor bingle, in his most recent act of violence.

Ex AFL footballer Andrew Lovett. Picture: Penny Stephens

Disgraced former AFL star Andrew Lovett has admitted to bashing a motorist over a minor bingle.

In his most recent act of violence, the ex-Essendon footballer reached into a man’s car and smacked him twice across the face after his side mirror was clipped while he and his victim drove past each other in a narrow Thornbury street last October.

Lovett, 41, pursued his victim, driving on the wrong side of the road to confront the man at a stop sign because he wanted him to know “he was in the wrong”.

“I wanted to have a go at him and go ‘mate, what the f**k are you doing? You can’t just hit people or have your mirrors touch’,” Lovett said in his police interview.

The victim told police he continued driving believing neither car had been damaged.

Lovett in action during the NFL Diamond Creek v Fitzroy Stars football match in Diamond Creek in 2019. Picture: Andy Brownbill

But Lovett claimed to police he “almost f**king died”.

The ex-AFL player has a long violent criminal history, having most recently been sentenced to eight months in prison over a prolonged campaign of domestic violence against his then-partner.

His first criminal offence was recorded in 2007 when he was playing for Essendon, with later charges including dangerous driving in the context of a police pursuit and multiple assaults.

On Friday, his criminal record lengthened as he pleaded guilty to unlawful assault in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

His lawyer, Tessa Theocharous of Kurnai Legal Practice, told the court the former footy player was remorseful for his actions and went straight to police after the incident to admit to the crime.

Lovett with his lawyer leaving the Frankston Magistrates court some years’ ago.

However, during his police interview, Lovett told police he was there to get on the “front foot” to report his victim for poor driving knowing the aftermath of the road rage incident had been captured on camera.

“I was dealing with a guy who’s filming me. I knew he was going to come past here (Northcote Police Station) so I thought I’d jump on the front foot and make a complaint about his driving,” Lovett told police.

Ms Theocharous told the court Lovett suffers from developmental trauma, major depressive episodes and post-traumatic stress disorder.

She said he undertakes regular psychotherapy, is off the drugs and booze and showed a “willingness” to change his ways in a 12-session men’s behavioural change program.

“He recognised through the work he was doing with his psychiatrist that cognitive behavioural therapy was required to ensure that nothing like this occurs again,” Ms Theocharous said.

Lovett now works as a qualified rigger, operating large machinery on building sites including the West Gate Tunnel project.

He will be sentenced on July 31.