Multiple witnesses to give evidence in AFL Hall of Famer Carl Ditterich’s child sex abuse case

Multiple witnesses have been called to give evidence in the child sexual abuse case against AFL Hall of Famer Carl Ditterich, with the footy legend accused of assaulting a girl almost 40 years ago.

Carl Ditterich is facing a series of charges over the alleged assualt of a teenage girl in Heatherton in 1985.

Multiple witnesses have been called to give evidence in the child sexual abuse case against AFL Hall of Famer Carl Ditterich.

The 78-year-old footy legend is facing a series of charges over the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl in Heatherton in August 1985.

Police allege the former St Kilda and Melbourne Football Club player molested the child, touched her breasts, made her touch his penis and masturbated in front of her.

Known during his playing days as the “Blonde Bombshell”, Ditterich was aged in his 40s at the time and had retired from the game five years earlier.

The shocking sexual assault claims were made public in April when charges were laid by the Bayside sexual offences and child abuse investigation team (SOCIT).

Ditterich, based in Echuca, has hired renowned criminal defence lawyer Tony Hargreaves, who appeared on his behalf in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Ditterich appeared via video link, wearing a black suit jacket, yellow tie and glasses.

Ditterich in action for the Saints against Carlton’s Bruce Doull.

He did not speak throughout the hearing, in which the court heard six witnesses were to be called in the criminal case against the AFL legend.

Mr Hargreaves said each of the witnesses would be cross-examined by the defence in a two-day committal hearing starting on September 17.

A committal hearing is when evidence, including witness testimony, is put before a magistrate to determine the strength of a case.

If the magistrate decides there is evidence of sufficient weight upon which a jury could convict, an accused is committed to a higher court such as the County Court which deals with alleged sexual crimes.

Ditterich remains listed on the AFL Hall of Fame list. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Ditterich played 285 games for St Kilda and Melbourne between 1963 and 1980.

He was a feared ruckman and appeared before the VFL tribunal 19 times and was suspended for a total of 30 games during his career, missing St Kilda’s only premiership in 1966.

Ditterich was inducted into the St Kilda Hall of Fame in 2003 and the AFL Hall of Fame in 2004.

His Hall of Fame title was called into question after news of his criminal charges were made public.

Ditterich remains listed on the AFL Hall of Fame list.

It’s likely any status changes would await the outcome of the historic child sex abuse case.

Ditterich, charged with three counts of indecent assault and one count of gross indecency in the presence of a child under the age of 16, will reappear in court in September.