Ex-AFL star Nicky Winmar jailed over violent assault

Former AFL star Nicky Winmar has been jailed for six months for attacking a woman in a violent assault.

Winmar, 60, dropped his head as he was sentenced in Bendigo Magistrates Court over the May 2025 assault at Cohuna in northern Victoria.

Winmar argued the woman was lying but magistrate Trieu Huynh in July found him guilty of two counts of common law assault and one charge of unlawful assault.

On Friday, Huynh described the offending as violent and unprovoked as he sentenced Winmar to six months’ jail.

Winmar will also be subject to a community corrections order for one year after release.

His barrister Dermot Dann KC immediately indicated his client would be appealing both the sentence and conviction.

The woman, who cannot be identified, told the court Winmar unexpectedly became angry at her before grabbing and twisting her arm.

He then dragged her by her hair, pushed her up against a wall and spat in her face before repeatedly hitting her head into a wooden door.

Dann had pushed for a community corrections order only, arguing his client has already been punished for the offending.

The former St Kilda great was removed from the AFL Hall of Fame and his statue was removed from Perth’s Optus Stadium following his conviction.

Winmar kicked 317 goals across 251 games with St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs, and was named in the All-Australian team in 1991 and 1995.

National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). For 24/7 crisis support run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, contact 13YARN (13 92 76). Help is available from the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.

Get alerts on breaking news as it happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert .