AFL legend Nicky Winmar fronts court on assault, choking charges

AFL great Nicky Winmar has appeared in court, a month after he was charged with intentionally choking a person.

The former St Kilda star only spoke briefly to say good morning and thank you to the magistrate as his case was adjourned on Thursday.

Winmar, whose legal first name is Neil, was in July charged with committing two assaults and intentionally choking, strangling or suffocating a person.

The three incidents all allegedly happened on July 18, charge sheets state.

The details of the allegations were not aired during Thursday’s brief hearing in Melbourne Magistrates Court.

Winmar’s barrister, Dermot Dann, KC, instead told court the prosecution needed more time and so a month-long adjournment was required.

Dann sought an extension for Winmar’s bail, noting the 59-year-old had made “excellent” progress while completing the court integrated services program (CISP).

“He has attended every appointment and engaged enthusiastically,” Dann told the court.

Magistrate Nicole Spicer agreed the CISP report was excellent and said it would be valuable for Winmar to continue the work he had started.

She adjourned the case to September 30, with Winmar’s bail extended to that date.

Winmar, who was supported by Dann and his case management worker, ignored questions from reporters as he left court on Thursday.

The AFL legend became the first Aboriginal footballer to play 200 games in the league, finishing his career with 230 games at St Kilda and 21 for the Western Bulldogs.

He fought back against a number of acts of racism throughout his career, including famously standing in front of a Collingwood crowd abusing him in 1993, lifting his jumper and proudly pointing at his skin.

In March, he was asked to co-lead a landmark racism class action in the Supreme Court, brought by other retired Indigenous players including Phil Krakouer.

AAP