AFL great Nicky Winmar allegedly dragged a woman by the hair and twisted her arm, two months before he’s accused of choking another person.
The former St Kilda star appeared via video link at Kerang Magistrates Court in northern Victoria today after being charged over the May 14 assault.
Details of the allegations were not read in court but charge sheets released to the media state Winmar allegedly assaulted a woman in Cohuna, northwest of Echuca.
The 59-year-old is accused of grabbing and twisting the woman’s arm, and then grabbing her hair and dragging her.
Police allege he intentionally caused injury to the woman.
Winmar is facing separate charges in Melbourne over allegations he intentionally choked, strangled or suffocated a woman on July 18.
It is unclear from the redacted charge sheets whether there is one alleged victim or multiple victims across the two incidents.
Prosecutor Annina Tropea today told the court police were seeking an adjournment as additional charges had only recently been filed and served.
The delay would also allow for the police informant to conduct further inquiries, Tropea said.
Magistrate Sharon McRae allowed the adjournment, with the case set to return to Kerang Magistrates Court in November.
McRae also accepted Winmar had been engaging well with his bail-mandated court-integrated services program.
Winmar only spoke briefly to say he understood the court orders.
He will separately face Melbourne Magistrates Court later in September.
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.
