Former AFL Star Neil "Nicky" Winmar Stands Trial Over Assault Allegations
The Bendigo Magistrates' Court has heard harrowing testimony from a woman who alleges the former footballer subjected her to a violent attack in northern Victoria.
On the first day of a contested hearing, the woman, whose identity is protected, described feeling "petrified" and "fearful of my life" during the alleged incident in Cohuna in May 2025.
She alleged that Winmar grabbed her arm, twisted it, and dragged her by her ponytail. In a particularly distressing accusation, she claimed he bashed her head against a wooden door, causing it to crack.
An emotional Triple Zero call played in court captured the woman's immediate terror. She told the operator she was hiding and had been hit. When asked to describe her attacker, she replied, "They'll know him, he's a former AFL player."
Body-worn footage from a responding police officer showed a contrasting scene. The woman was seen sitting on the floor, drinking a beer and smoking with a blanket wrapped around her. In the video, she described Winmar as "abusive, verbally and physically" but stated she did not require hospital treatment.
Photographs tendered to the court provided further evidence of the alleged violence. Images showed purple bruising near the woman's elbow and a cracked wooden door.
Under cross-examination from Winmar's barrister, Dermot Dann KC, the woman acknowledged a key contradiction. She admitted telling the officer on the night that she was "fine." However, she explained her earlier statements, saying she was "covering up the fact I was hurting so much more than I presented."
She denied throwing punches at Winmar's face. Regarding alcohol consumption, she stated she did not recall drinking wine before the incident but had consumed six to eight beers after about 2pm.
Winmar, 60, has pleaded not guilty to charges including unlawful assault and intentionally causing injury. The hearing is scheduled to continue.