NRL great Wendell Sailor charged over Sydney bar assault

Dual code international Wendell Sailor has been charged over an alleged incident at a Sydney bar late on Wednesday night.

Wendell Sailor in the Sydney bar. Photo: Fox Sports

Dual code international Wendell Sailor has been charged over an alleged incident at a Sydney bar on Wednesday.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports the 50-year-old has been charged after allegedly assaulting two men and intimidating a third in Sydney’s CBD.

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According to the report, a NSW Police spokesperson said officers were called to the bar on Erskine Street around 11pm (AEDT) on Wednesday.

It followed reports of the alleged assault, when no injuries were reported.

Sailor, who represented the Broncos and Dragons during his 222-game NRL career, was taken to Day Street Police Station and reportedly hit with a string of charges.

They included two counts of common assault, one count of behaving in an offensive manner, one count of intimidating a person with intent to cause them fear of physical harm and one count of remaining in the vicinity of a licenced premises after being excluded.

Wendell Sailor has been charged over an incident at a Sydney bar. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Granted conditional bail, Sailor will attend Downing Centre Local Court on November 28.

Compounding Sailor’s troubles, he was also hit with an unrelated apprehended domestic violence order by police on Wednesday, reportedly to protect a woman from Sailor.

Sailor was one of the NRL’s most damaging wingers early in his career, tallying 17 games for Queensland, 22 matches for the Kangaroos and 189 games for the Brisbane Broncos.

No stranger to controversy, he then crossed codes, playing 37 Tests for the Wallabies, before a drug ban for testing positive to cocaine ended his time in rugby union.

After a two-year ban, Sailor returned to rugby league, ending his career with the Dragons.

Wendell Sailor in the Sydney bar. Photo: Fox Sports

Sailor represented the Wallabies after his switch to rugby. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

However, he was critical of the club in April as he opened up about the “disgusting” treatment of son Tristan, who was unceremoniously dumped by the club at the end of the 2020 season after just five games for the team.

A fortnight later, Sailor was charged with sexual assault, but was found not guilty in 2022.

It saw Sailor attempt to rebuild his life and rugby league career, making a move to Brisbane.

Having forged a career in the media, Sailor announced his retirement from Triple M “effective immediately” in July this year.

Sailor had been a popular commentator and broadcaster on the Sydney drive show The Rush Hour with Gus, Jude & Wendell, alongside Gus Worland and Swans legend Jude Bolton.

Sailor had been a key member of the network’s commentary team since 2015.

Sailor with Jude Bolton (left) and Gus Worland on Triple M. Picture: Tim Hunter.

He announced at the time he would be stepping back from his live broadcasting commitments at the end of the season but continue on The Rush Hour.

However, he then revealed he would leave the network all together.

“I have made the decision to step back from my professional commitments with Triple M, which is effective immediately,” Sailor said via a statement.

“My primary focus now is dedicating more time to my children and pursuing grassroots interests.

“I am deeply grateful for SCA’s understanding and support of my decision. Balancing my career with family life is my priority, particularly as I celebrate my 50th birthday this week.”