Disgraced former Australian Football League (AFL) star Nicky Winmar is awaiting sentencing after being found guilty of unlawful assault and common law assault against a female victim. The repercussions for his conviction have been swift, including his removal from the Australian Football Hall of Fame and the demolition of a statue honoring him at Perth Stadium. Winmar, 59, also pleaded guilty to persistent contraventions of family violence orders.
During a court hearing, Winmar's barrister, Dermot Dann KC, presented a defense that drew parallels to historical stands against injustice, notably referencing his client's iconic protest against racism in 1993. Dann argued that Winmar's past actions, such as pointing to his skin in response to racial abuse at Victoria Park, had a significant positive impact on society and should be considered in sentencing. "They can erase his statue and they can erase his name from their halls of fame, but what they'll never be able to erase... is the memory of his courageous stand that day," Dann told the Bendigo Magistrates' Court.
This defense was delivered in the context of Winmar's recent conviction for assaulting a woman in May 2025. The prosecution stated that Winmar grabbed and twisted the victim's arm, pulled her by her hair, and repeatedly smashed her head against a wooden door. The victim, who appeared in court from a secure room, recounted the physical and psychological trauma, including extended pain in her arm that limited her movement and ability to participate in family events. She also described contemplating drastic measures to feel safe again.
Evidence presented included photos of the victim's arm showing bruising and swelling consistent with her account, and an emotional Triple Zero call made by the woman on the night of the incident. The prosecution described the victim as an "honest, reliable and credible witness."
The court also heard details of Winmar's repeated breaches of a family violence order protecting the woman. Between May 15 and May 20 of last year, Winmar contravened the order 38 times, primarily through text messages expressing affection and requests for contact. Further breaches occurred between May 21 and June 12, including 50 text messages and other forms of contact, one instance of attending her workplace, and another at her residence. Winmar dismissed these breaches to police as harmless interactions.
Dann urged the court to consider a community-based order rather than imprisonment, citing Winmar's age, background, personal circumstances, and efforts toward rehabilitation, including nearly a year of alcohol abstinence, counseling, and behavior-change programs. The court heard Winmar had prior convictions related to assaults against his ex-wife in 1997 and 1999, and a bashing of a taxi driver in 2019.
Winmar's sentencing is scheduled for a later date. He has not commented outside the court.