Former AFL player Nicky Winmar convicted of assaulting a woman in northern Victoria
Consensus Summary
Former AFL player Nicky Winmar, 60, was found guilty of three counts of assault in May 2025 after a three-day contested hearing in May. The incident occurred in Cohuna, northern Victoria, where Winmar allegedly grabbed, twisted, and dragged a woman by her hair, then hit her head against a wooden door. Both sources agree he was acquitted on a fourth charge of intentionally causing injury. Winmar, known for his 230 AFL games and a 1993 anti-racism protest, admitted to slapping the womanâs arm but denied other violent acts. The womanâs credibility was upheld by Magistrate Trieu Huynh, who described her as truthful. Winmarâs defense argued self-defense, claiming she punched him multiple times. The case follows a landmark racism class action he co-leads against the AFL.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Nicky Winmar was found guilty of three counts of unlawful and common law assault in May 2025
- The incident occurred in Cohuna, northern Victoria, in May 2025
- Winmar was acquitted on the fourth charge of intentionally causing injury
- Winmar is 60 years old
- Winmar played 230 games for St Kilda and 21 for the Western Bulldogs
- Winmar became known for his anti-racism protest in 1993 by lifting his shirt and pointing to his skin
- The case involved a three-day contested hearing in May
- Magistrate Trieu Huynh presided over the case
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The woman described being 'fearful' for her life during the incident
- Winmar pleaded not guilty to charges including assault and intentionally causing injury
- Prosecutor Annina Tropea described the woman as an 'honest, reliable and credible witness'
- Winmar's barrister Dermot Dann KC argued the woman punched him five or six times, causing a cut to his face
- The court heard an emotional Triple Zero (000) call from the night of the incident
- Winmar arrived at court on Friday morning
- Winmar admitted slapping the womanâs arm above the elbow but denied throwing punches or making her tumble
- Winmar claimed the woman punched him five or six times to the face area
- Winmar is co-leading a landmark racism class action against the AFL in the Victorian Supreme Court
- Winmar dropped his head into his hands after the verdict was delivered
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The ABC states the woman was dragged by her hair and smashed her head against a wooden door, while the Guardian says she was pushed against a wall, spat on, and yelled at before her head was hit against the door
- The ABC mentions a 20-minute phone call during the incident, but the Guardian does not reference this detail
Source Articles
Former AFL great Nicky Winmar found guilty of assaulting woman
The woman previously told the court she was "fearful" for her life on the night of the incident last year.
Former AFL player Nicky Winmar found guilty of assaulting woman in northern Victoria
Judge finds woman was truthful after the former St Kilda star accused her of lying about attack Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Former AFL player Nicky Winmar has been found guilty of dragging a woman by the hair and hitting her head against a door. Winmar, 60, argued the woman lied about the attack but Bendigo magistrate Trieu Huynh on Friday found she was being truthful and convicted him of three charges. Conti