Former AFL Player Ryan Crowley Faces 17 Domestic Violence Charges

Former Australian Football League (AFL) player Ryan Crowley is scheduled to face a criminal trial in March 2027, where he will confront 17 domestic violence charges. The majority of these charges relate to alleged attacks against his former girlfriend, Lauren Dunn, who is known for her appearance on the reality television show 'Married At First Sight'.

Crowley, 42, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court and faces four new charges, including assault and strangulation. These new charges have been added to 13 others to which he previously pleaded not guilty. The former Fremantle Dockers midfielder pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated common assault and three counts of impeding another person's normal breathing or blood circulation by applying pressure to the neck.

The court has set the trial for these four new charges to coincide with the previously scheduled trial date of March 2, 2027. Crowley's bail, which includes a $40,000 personal undertaking and $40,000 surety, has been extended.

The 17 charges encompass a range of alleged offenses, including aggravated assault, strangulation, assault occasioning bodily harm, threatening, and being armed or pretending to be armed. Six of the domestic violence charges were laid in July of the previous year, with prosecutors alleging that Crowley attacked Dunn, 35, to a degree that she was "almost killed."

Historical charges, allegedly occurring between 2019 and 2020, include one count of unlawful assault and one count of threatening to kill, said to have taken place in September 2019. Further charges from March 2020 involve unlawful assault, intention to harm, and two counts of deprivation of liberty in circumstances of aggravation. Five of these alleged offenses were reportedly committed against Dunn, with the final charge relating to the alleged abuse of a separate woman.

This marks the second time Crowley has appeared in court over domestic violence charges within a two-month period. He was granted bail in May of the previous year following nine separate allegations related to an alleged incident involving Dunn that year.

According to court proceedings last year, Crowley and Dunn were in a relationship described as "toxic" and "highly volatile" between 2018 and 2023. Dunn has since relocated from Western Australia to New South Wales but reportedly travels back for work. A witness allegedly observed Crowley assaulting Dunn in 2020, describing the incident as being "to the point of almost killing her" and expressing concern to authorities. The police prosecutor stated in court that the accused "has shown a propensity for violence."

The court also heard that Dunn had received messages from Crowley's associates, claiming they had seen videos of her in a "compromising" situation, and from social media users labeling her a "liar" and a "psycho."

Crowley's legal counsel has confirmed he intends to plead not guilty to all charges. However, Magistrate Langdon warned Crowley that a conviction on all charges would likely result in an immediate prison sentence. Despite prosecutorial opposition, bail was granted with conditions including the surrender of his passport, twice-weekly reporting to police, a prohibition from approaching within 200 meters of Dunn, and remaining within Western Australia. Crowley's defense cited his Type 1 diabetes as a factor making custody difficult to manage.

Dunn and Crowley ended their five-year relationship in 2023. Crowley retired from professional football in 2016 after playing for Fremantle and Essendon.