AFL stars Dion Prestia, Steven May charged over Sorrento Boxing Day fight

Victoria Police have charged Richmond champion Dion Prestia and Melbourne premiership defender Steven May in relation to an incident on Boxing Day 2024, with both players saying they are innocent and will defend the charges.

The footballers are alleged to have participated in a fight over the Christmas holiday period involving about a dozen men after the two groups earlier exchanged words at a local pub. Prestia has been charged with offences including recklessly causing injury, while May has been charged with affray. A third man was also charged.

“I have today been charged with the offence of recklessly causing serious injury as a result of an altercation that apparently took place on Boxing Day 2024 at Sorrento,” Prestia said in a Richmond statement issued on Thursday morning.

“I was not involved in the fight. I was not even physically present when it apparently took place. I deny that I am guilty of these offences and will strenuously defend these charges.

“As I have now been charged, it would be inappropriate for me to say anything further.”

Victoria Police said three men had been charged over the altercation in Sorrento after an investigation by Mornington detectives.

“It is alleged two groups were involved in an altercation on Point Nepean Road about 2am on 27 December 2024,” the police statement said.

“Two men were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries at the time. Detectives interviewed three men in May as part of their investigation.

“A 26-year-old Blairgowrie man has been charged on summons with affray and will appear before the Dromana Magistrates’ Court on 20 November.

“A 33-year-old Hawthorn man has been charged on summons with recklessly cause serious injury, intentionally cause injury, recklessly cause injury and affray.

“A 33-year-old Mount Eliza man has been charged on summons with affray.”

May and Prestia will appear before Dromana Magistrates’ Court on November 27. Richmond said the club would continue to support him and confirmed Prestia would return to pre-season training next month.

“Dion strenuously denies any wrongdoing and will defend himself accordingly,” Richmond said in a statement on Thursday morning.

“As with any member of the community, he is entitled to the presumption of innocence.”

In a statement, Melbourne said May had told the Demons he was not involved in the alleged incident and would “strongly defend” the charge in court.

“The club will continue to support Steven throughout this process,” the club said. “As the matter is now before the courts, the club will not be making any further comment.”

AFL spokesperson Jay Allen said the league would “continue to closely monitor the ongoing legal proceedings”.

May and Prestia started their AFL careers together at Gold Coast.

Prestia is a three-time premiership player with Richmond who won the club’s best-and-fairest award in 2019. He started his career with May at the Suns in 2011, moved to the Tigers in 2017, and has played 237 games.

May, after making his debut with Gold Coast in 2011, captained the club from 2017-18 before joining the Demons for the 2019 season.

The premiership player and dual All-Australian has played 251 games, but faced an uncertain future at the club when told to explore trade options last month.

No clubs sought to trade in the key defender, who remains contracted at Melbourne until the end of next year.

With AAP

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