AFL Hall of Fame inductee and St Kilda legend Nicky Winmar has been charged with assaulting a woman in Cohuna, including an allegation of choking.
Winmar, 59, appeared via video link in Kerang Magistrates’ Court last week on charges related to an incident that allegedly took place in Cohuna in May.
He faces two counts of assault and one count of choking, suffocating, or strangling without lawful excuse in relation to a July 18 incident.
During the brief court hearing, no specific details about the alleged events were discussed.
Winmar’s lawyer, Tessa Theocharous, requested an adjournment.
Magistrate Trieu Huynh suggested the next court date be September 25, but Winmar noted it was his birthday, joking, “I turn 60”.
The matter was instead rescheduled for September 11, and his bail was extended.
Winmar, an iconic figure in AFL history, played 12 seasons with St Kilda from 1987 to 1998, earning two club best-and-fairest awards.
He also played 21 games with the Western Bulldogs.
An Indigenous trailblazer in the sport, Winmar made headlines in 1993 when he responded to racist abuse from fans by lifting his jersey and pointing to his skin, declaring, “I’m black and I’m proud”.
The moment was later commemorated with a statue outside Optus Stadium in Perth.
Winmar is also scheduled to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on August 28. He remains on bail.
