St Kilda legend Nicky Winmar facing three charges

The AFL great has appeared in court after he allegedly choked, strangled, or suffocated a family member, while he was also charged with assaulting a female.

Nicky Winmar is charged with choking a relative. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Indigenous AFL great Nicky Winmar has faced court accused of choking, strangling or suffocating a family member and assault.

The St Kilda legend appeared via video link in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where his case was adjourned for a month so he could participate in a bail support program.

Court documents reveal Winmar is facing three charges including that he intentionally choked, strangled, or suffocated a family member on July 18.

Winmar’s case has been adjourned so he can participate in a bail support program. Picture: Getty

He is also charged with two counts of assault, including one against a female, on the same day.

It’s unclear if all charges relate to the same alleged victim.

No details of the allegations were aired during the brief hearing and police withdrew an application to revoke the 59-year-old’s bail.

Winmar’s lawyer Tessa Theocharous told the court her client had only recently been placed on the court integrated services program (CISP) and he had an upcoming appointment to discuss support arrangements.

CISP aims to reduce reoffending by connecting accused people with services for drug and alcohol issues, crisis accommodation, disability, mental health, and Koori-specific support.

Winmar remains on bail and is due to return to court on August 28.

Hours before Winmar’s court appearance on Tuesday morning, AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon was asked whether the league had “failed” the St Kilda great with a lack of support.

“I’m not crossing into detail with Nicky, but I think that’s something that’s terrible, if someone is in court facing charges,” Mr Dillon said.

In March it was revealed Winmar, who played more than 200 games for the Saints, could become a lead plaintiff in an explosive racism class action against the league.

Winmar cemented his status as an anti-racism trailblazer when the Saints faced Collingwood at Victoria Park in April 1993, with a gesture that would become iconic.

Both Winmar and fellow Indigenous player Gilbert McAdam were racially abused by Collingwood supporters, before the Saints went on to win the close match.

After the siren sounded, Winmar – standing near the Collingwood cheer squad – lifted his guernsey and pointed at his skin, shouting “I’m black and I’m proud to be black”.

The images of Winmar captured that day are some of the most famous in AFL history.

Winmar was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2022.

Originally published as St Kilda legend Nicky Winmar facing three charges