Former AFL star Nicky Winmar sentenced for assault on woman, appeals jail term
Consensus Summary
Former AFL star Nicky Winmar, 60, was sentenced to six months in jail on August 28, 2026, for a violent and unprovoked assault on a woman in Cohuna, northern Victoria, in May 2025. The attack, which involved dragging the victim by her hair, bashing her head against a door, and other aggressive acts, was described by Magistrate Trieu Huynh as 'violent and sustained.' Winmar was also ordered to serve a one-year community corrections program with conditions, including alcohol abuse treatment. His lawyers immediately filed an appeal, and he was released on bail with restrictions. Winmar maintains his innocence, claiming the victim lied, while the victim described lasting trauma, including feeling worthless and unsafe. The sentencing followed Winmar’s removal from the AFL Hall of Fame and the removal of his statue from Perth’s Optus Stadium. Despite his past contributions, including his iconic 1993 stand against racism, the magistrate emphasized the need for deterrence and considered Winmar’s history of alcohol-fueled violence, including a prior 2019 assault conviction.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Nicky Winmar, 60, was sentenced to six months' jail for a May 2025 assault on a woman in Cohuna, northern Victoria
- Winmar was found guilty of two counts of common law assault and one charge of unlawful assault
- The attack involved Winmar grabbing and twisting the woman’s arm, dragging her by the hair, pushing her against a wall, spitting in her face, and repeatedly bashing her head into a wooden door
- Winmar was granted bail to appeal the sentence and was released on Friday, August 28, 2026, with a condition not to contact prosecution witnesses
- Winmar’s barrister, Dermot Dann KC, immediately indicated an appeal of both the sentence and convictions
- Winmar will also serve a one-year community corrections order with conditions, including treatment for alcohol abuse
- Winmar was removed from the Australian Football Hall of Fame and his statue was removed from Perth’s Optus Stadium following his conviction
- Winmar kicked 317 goals across 251 games with St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs, and was named in the All-Australian team in 1991 and 1995
- The victim described feeling worthless, unsafe, and like a 'shadow of the person' she was after the attack
- Magistrate Trieu Huynh described the attack as 'violent and sustained' and 'unprovoked'
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Winmar dropped his head as the magistrate handed down the jail term
- Winmar was allowed to stay in the body of the court while his lawyers filed the appeal paperwork, and was granted appeal bail shortly before 1pm
- Winmar ignored questions from reporters as he left Bendigo Magistrates Court
- Winmar maintains he is innocent, claiming the woman was lying about the May 14 attack
- Winmar had completed programs and seen a psychologist, while also undergoing testing for a possible brain injury acquired during his footy career
- Winmar had remained abstinent from alcohol for a year prior to sentencing
- Winmar was found guilty of assault last month (July 2026) after a three-day hearing in May 2026
- Winmar’s victim said Winmar’s attack had left her a 'shadow of the person' she was during a plea hearing earlier this month (July 2026)
- Magistrate Huynh said he was most concerned about Winmar’s history of 'alcohol-fuelled violent offending', including a 2019 community corrections order for assaulting a taxi driver
- Winmar pleaded not guilty during the case, but the magistrate found him guilty beyond reasonable doubt after hearing evidence from the victim and other witnesses
- Winmar’s lawyer, Dermot Dann, argued that jail should be a 'last resort' and highlighted Winmar’s struggles with depression, PTSD, and alcohol use
- Winmar argued the woman was lying but magistrate Trieu Huynh found him guilty in July 2026
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The ABC states Winmar was found guilty 'last month' (July 2026), while 7NEWS and The Guardian specify the attack occurred in May 2025 and the sentencing was on August 28, 2026, with no explicit July 2026 conviction date mentioned
- The ABC mentions a 'three-day hearing in May' (2026) for the assault, but 7NEWS and The Guardian do not specify the length of the hearing
Source Articles
Fallen AFL great Nicky Winmar sent to jail for attack on woman
After his fate was revealed his barrister immediately indicated his client would be appealing.
Disgraced footballer Nicky Winmar appealing jail term for assault
The footballer was removed from the Australian Football Hall of Fame and had his statue taken down from Perth Stadium after being found guilty.
Former AFL star Nicky Winmar jailed for six months for assault on woman
Barrister for former St Kilda player says he will appeal both the sentence and the conviction for unprovoked assault in May 2025 Former AFL star Nicky Winmar has been jailed for six months for attacking a woman in a violent assault. Winmar, 60, dropped his head as he was sentenced in Bendigo magistrates court over the May 2025 assault against a woman at Cohuna in northern Victoria. Continue reading...
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