Ex-AFL star Nicky Winmar jailed then bailed over attack

Former St Kilda player Nicky Winmar has been sentenced to six months in jail for violently assaulting a woman in May 2025. The 60-year-old was ordered to serve the term at Bendigo Magistrates Court, following his conviction for two charges of common law assault and one count of unlawful assault. Magistrate Trieu Huynh described the incident as "violent and unprovoked" during her July ruling.

Winmar's barrister, Dermot Dann KC, stated he will appeal both the sentence and conviction, suggesting the community corrections order offered after release. Prosecutors have not alleged Winmar's guilt; they simply report the findings of the court. The victim, whose identity is protected, testified that Winmar unexpectedly became enraged, grabbed her arm, dragged her by the hair, pushed her against a wall, spat in her face, and repeatedly struck her head against a wooden door.

The assault occurred in Cohuna, Victoria. Winmar's removal from the AFL Hall of Fame and the demolition of his statue from Perth's Optus Stadium followed his conviction. Winmar played 317 goals in 251 games for St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs, and was named in the All-Australian team in 1991 and 1995. He holds the distinction of being the first Indigenous footballer to play 200 VFL/AFL games.