Ex-AFL star Brian Lake ‘embarrassed’ by nose poke charge

Three-time premiership player Brian Lake is ‘embarrassed and horrified’ by his behaviour at Crown Casino that caused him to be charged with assault.

A three-time premiership AFL player has found himself convicted of assault after poking a security guard in the side of the nose at Crown Casino.

Brian Lake, 38, a former Western Bulldogs then Hawthorn star, pleaded guilty to assault in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday and was fined $900.

Magistrate Timothy Bourke said it was a “very low level assault” that occurred at Southbank on September 26, 2019.

“There is no evidence the victim suffered a physical injury,” he said.

Lake leaving the Sunshine Magistrates Court for an unrelated matter in 2019. Picture: Ellen Smith/AAP

“(Lake) offers no excuse for his actions and accepts responsibility.”

Lake’s lawyer had told the court Lake was “embarrassed and horrified” by the situation.

Court documents show the nose poke occurred after Lake and a friend had been drinking at an event.

They decided to go to the casino afterwards, where Lake was allowed in but his friend was denied entry.

After a discussion with two guards and a manager, Lake shook their hands.

Lake with his Norm Smith Medal and Premiership medal at the 2013 Grand Final match. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Media

“As he was walking away, for no reason except immaturity and frustration, he poked the side of the nose of the security guard who had denied his friend entry,” court documents state.

“He did not speak to this person again and continued walking.”

Mr Bourke said Lake had young children and was “a person in the community that some may look up to”.

The 38-year-old was previously convicted of stalking, trespass and property damage in Sunshine Magistrates Court and sentenced in April 2019 to 250 hours of community service and a community corrections order.

Originally published as Ex-AFL star Brian Lake ‘embarrassed’ by nose poke charge