AFL stars claim startling new evidence clears them after being accused over 2am pub brawl that left two men in hospital
Two AFL premiership players say they were not present during a brawl at a coastal town as they fight to have criminal charges withdrawn.
Richmond’s Dion Prestia, 33, and Melbourne’s Steven May, 34, appeared at Dromana Magistrates Court on Thursday via videolink for a brief hearing.
They were charged with criminal offences in October, about 10 months after a brawl on Point Nepean Road in Sorrento on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.
Police allege two groups were involved in an altercation about 2am on December 27, 2024, with two men taken to hospital with injuries.
Prestia has been charged on summons with recklessly causing serious injury, intentionally causing injury and affray.
May has been charged on summons with affray.
Melbourne Demons star Steven May (pictured with partner Sachi) was charged with affray over his alleged involvement in the fight just after Boxing Day in 2024
Richmond’s Dion Prestia (pictured with girlfriend Brooke Bailey) wants his charges of recklessly causing serious injury, intentionally causing injury and affray withdrawn
Prestia (pictured right) and May both deny they were present at the time of the brawl, the court heard
However, both players deny they were present during the brawl and proclaim their innocence.
Their lawyer Tony Hargreaves told the court on Thursday he had provided detailed written submissions to police setting out why the charges ought to be withdrawn.
This included a witness statement, which claims neither Prestia nor May were present during the fight, he said.
Mr Hargreaves said Victoria Police were considering their submission and asked for the case to be adjourned to February for a contest mention.
Prosecutor Alex Turner said the matter had just been referred to his unit and agreed to the adjournment.
Prestia and May, who remain charged on summons, will face Frankston Magistrates Court on February 20.
The pair, who started their AFL careers together at the Gold Coast Suns, previously released statements through their clubs proclaiming their innocence.
‘I was not involved in the fight. I was not even physically present when it apparently took place,’ Prestia said, in a statement issued by Richmond in October.
‘I deny that I am guilty of these offences and will strenuously defend these charges.’
Melbourne said May had advised them he was not involved and would ‘strongly defend’ the charge in court.
Both AFL clubs are supportive of the players.
Prestia is a three-time premiership player with Richmond, and won the club’s best-and-fairest award in 2019.
May played for Melbourne in the 2021 premiership and is a two-time All-Australian player.
