Former AFL player Nicky Winmar's lawyer has argued his client has already been punished by the "erasure" of his accolades and statue, as he pushed for Winmar to avoid jail time.
Winmar, 60, was convicted in July of a May 2025 assault against a woman at Cohuna in northern Victoria. The woman, who cannot be identified, told the court Winmar unexpectedly became angry before grabbing and twisting her arm, dragging her by the hair, pushing her against a wall, spitting in her face, and repeatedly bashing her head into a wooden door.
Victim impact statement
At Winmar's pre-sentence hearing on Thursday, the woman said she no longer felt like the person she once was. "I have days where I feel so worthless and my confidence is non-existent," she said in a statement. "I don't feel safe anywhere. I'm always on edge."
Prosecutor Annina Tropea argued the impact on the victim had been profound and pushed for Winmar to be jailed. She noted Winmar had multiple opportunities during the attack to walk away but persisted. "He needs to understand there are consequences for his decision-making," she said.
Defence arguments
Winmar's barrister, Dermot Dann KC, argued a jail term was a last resort and a community corrections order was more appropriate. He submitted Winmar had already suffered additional punishment since his conviction, with his statue removed from Optus Stadium in Perth and his spot in the AFL Hall of Fame stripped.
"No one was waiting to see if he wanted to appeal - they just removed it," Dann told the court. He conceded there had been low points in Winmar's life, including the assault, but noted Winmar had abstained from alcohol for 12 months and was seeing a psychologist for PTSD and depression.
Dann also highlighted Winmar's 1993 stand against racism, when he lifted his jumper and pointed to his skin in front of an abusive Collingwood crowd. "They can erase his statue," Dann said. "What they will never be able to erase from the hearts and minds of the people who care about racism ... is the memory of his great stand that day at Victoria Park. They will never erase that."
Sentencing decision pending
Magistrate Trieu Huynh said he needed time to consider whether to jail Winmar or impose a community corrections order. He ordered a corrections assessment ahead of the sentencing hearing on August 28. Winmar's bail was extended, and he ignored reporters' questions as he left the Bendigo court.
Winmar kicked 317 goals across 251 games with St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs and was named All-Australian in 1991 and 1995. He was the first Indigenous footballer to play 200 VFL/AFL games.
