Former AFL star Nicky Winmar has been found guilty of assaulting a man outside a pub in regional Victoria in 2024. The verdict was delivered on Friday at the Melbourne Magistrates Court, with the 59-year-old facing a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Incident Details
The assault occurred on the night of 24 March 2024 outside the Royal Hotel in Stawell, a town in western Victoria. Winmar was involved in an altercation with a 38-year-old man, resulting in the victim sustaining a broken jaw and a concussion. Witnesses testified that Winmar punched the victim multiple times after a verbal dispute escalated.
Court Proceedings
During the trial, the prosecution argued that Winmar used excessive force, while the defense claimed self-defense. Magistrate Andrew McKenna rejected the self-defense claim, stating that Winmar's actions were disproportionate to any threat. “The use of force was not reasonable in the circumstances,” McKenna said in his ruling. Winmar was convicted of one count of recklessly causing serious injury.
Impact and Sentencing
The victim, who cannot be named, said the attack left him with ongoing physical and psychological trauma. Winmar, who played 251 games for St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs, has been bailed until sentencing on 14 August 2026. The court ordered a pre-sentence report. Winmar's lawyer indicated they may appeal the verdict.
