Former AFL great Nicky Winmar found guilty of assaulting woman in northern Victoria

A magistrate has found former AFL great Neil Elvis "Nicky" Winmar guilty of assaulting a woman in northern Victoria last year.

The woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, told the Bendigo Magistrates' Court in May she was "fearful" for her life during the incident in May 2025 at Cohuna.

The prosecution told the court Winmar grabbed and twisted the woman's arm, dragged her by her hair and smashed her head against a wooden door.

Winmar pleaded not guilty to charges including assault and intentionally causing injury.

He was found guilty of three counts of unlawful assault and common law assault, but Magistrate Trieu Huynh dismissed a fourth charge of intentionally causing injury.

Magistrate Huynh said he accepted the woman’s account of what happened on the night and that she had been consistent on the core pieces of evidence.

"I do not dismiss inconsistencies in her evidence. With the benefit of observing her give evidence … [the woman] presents as credible witness," he said.

However Magistrate Huynh said he was not satisfied the prosecution had proven the charge of intentionally causing injury, as the woman did not require medical treatment.

Winmar, an inductee into the Australian Football Hall of Fame, is best known for his time playing for St Kilda.

During a game in 1993, he lifted his shirt and pointed to his skin in response to racist abuse from the crowd.

The moment became a powerful anti-racism symbol and is immortalised in a bronze statue at Perth Stadium.

The case will return to court for a pre-sentence hearing in August.

Court hears self-defence claim

Prosecutor Annina Tropea told the court photos of the woman's arm showed bruising and swelling consistent with her version of events.

"[The woman] was an honest, reliable and credible witness," Ms Tropea said.

The court was also played an emotional Triple Zero (000) call from the night, in which the woman told the call-taker she was hiding and had been hit.

Winmar's barrister Dermot Dann KC told the court the allegations did not happen, and Winmar had made contact with the woman's arm in self defence.

During questioning of the woman Mr Dann said Winmar was trying to "fend off" her punches.

"One of the punches caused a cut to his face, which was observed by police," he said to the woman.

"No, that is not true. I did not," the woman said.

He also questioned the efforts of police to verify the allegations, including failing to contact a witness the prosecution said Winmar had spoken to on the phone during the incident.

"The prosecution case paints Mr Winmar as raving, screaming, spitting, out of control. Yet within the body of the incident there's said to be a 20-minute phone call with another person. Surely that person had relevant information to give," Mr Dann said.

The court heard evidence from the complainant, two attending police officers and the woman's friend across a three-day contested hearing in May.

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