One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: one-eyed on January 01, 2025, 04:42:29 AM
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AFL stars Steven May and Dion Prestia caught up in late-night fracas near Continental Hotel at Sorrento
HeraldSun
31 December 2024
Two premiership players from Richmond and Melbourne have been entangled in a 2am fracas near the Continental Hotel in Sorrento which left two men needing hospital treatment.
AFL stars Steven May and Dion Prestia and have been caught up in a late-night fracas at Sorrento which led to two men needing hospital treatment.
The premiership players were among a group out for Boxing Day at the Mornington Peninsula holiday hotspot which was harassed and attacked at about 2am near the Continental Hotel.
The Herald Sun has been told one aggressor took a swing outside the venue, causing the group to retreat along Point Nepean Rd.
Shortly after, Ambulance Victoria paramedics were called to Point Nepean Rd to pick up a man believed to be one of the troublemakers.
He had upper and lower-body injuries which were described as not life-threatening.
Victoria Police said two men were treated at hospital but it is not known how the second patient got there.
A statement described the incident, which is under investigation by detectives from the Mornington criminal investigation unit, as an affray.
It is unclear where the inquiry will end up as there is believed to be no CCTV at the scene where the men were injured and no statements have been made by the hospitalised pair.
“No official complaint has been received at this time,” a Victoria Police statement said.
Football sources confirmed on Monday that the AFL duo had been among a group which had been caught up in friction generated by other parties.
But sources close to the two players insisted they were not responsible for the injuries to the two men.
A spokeswoman for the Tigers, Prestia’s team, said: “Prestia saw it happening but in no way was he involved. They weren’t involved in any physical altercation.”
Melbourne Football Club, who May plays for, declined to comment.
The Herald Sun contacted the AFL on Sunday afternoon but it has not responded yet.
Creative on-baller Prestia played in the Tigers’ flag triumphs of 2017, 2019 and 2020.
Centre half-back May was a key part of Melbourne’s 2021 premiership triumph and is one of the club’s most important players.
In 2022, he was involved in an altercation with teammate Jake Melksham at the Entrecote restaurant in Prahran.
May’s jaw was broken in a 2013 off-season clash with former Gold Coast Suns teammate Campbell Brown outside a Los Angeles nightclub.
May and Prestia started their AFL careers at the Gold Coast Suns.
Prestia appeared to be enjoying some down time on the Mornington Peninsula over the weekend, lapping up the sun at Eldridge Estate, a popular winery in Red Hill.
The Richmond star posted a photo of wine glasses and a cheese board overlooking the vineyards on his Instagram story on Sunday.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/afl-stars-tom-lynch-dion-prestia-and-steven-may-caught-up-in-latenight-fracas-near-continental-hotel-at-sorrento/news-story/0f32ff738c4e7b0c27891a09e79546e6
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A story about nothing...
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Steven May eh? #liedownwithdogs :shh
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Nothing good ever happens after 2am
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Unless this has been written horribly, this is such a nothing story. Just reads like there was an incident at a club/bar/pub (what else is new) and lynch and Prestia just happened to be be 2 of the hundreds of people that were in attendance.
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How trashy using these two to publish click bait, thats all it is!
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More trash reporting from the number one trash tabloid in the country
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An investigation has been launched and new accusations made against Richmond player Dion Prestia and Melbourne’s Steven May following a fight outside a Sorrento pub.
Prestia angrily brushed away questions over the allegations today.
@gillianlant @JACKTWARD_ #9News
Nine news report: https://x.com/9NewsMelb/status/1886731542828818815
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‘Come on, let’s go’: Brawl allegations around AFL stars detailed as police, clubs speak
Fox Sports
February 5th, 2025
Both Melbourne and Richmond have provided statements acknowledging ongoing allegations involving their respective premiership players, Steven May and Dion Prestia, and a Melbourne street brawl.
The duo are alleged to have been present at a brawl outside Sorrento’s Continental Hotel late last year that left one young male with a broken eye socket, detached retina and fractured nose, as well as another man injured.
One man has given a statement to detectives at Rosebud, and both spoke with The Age.
Demons defender May allegedly participated in the altercation, with triple premiership Tiger Prestia allegedly also amid the fight that took place over the recent Christmas holiday period.
One man hurt in the brawl alleged that May said, “Come on, let’s go”, then punched another man.
Fox Footy is not suggesting that the accusations are true — only that police have received an official complaint on the matter and it is now the subject of an investigation. Richmond claimed that Prestia only saw the brawl and was not involved.
“It is understood a physical altercation occurred between two groups of men on Point Nepean Road about 2am,” Victoria Police said in a statement.
“Two men were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
“An official report has now been made to police and investigations into the circumstances of the incident remain ongoing.”
Both May and Prestia are reported to have been celebrating the bucks’ party of a mutual friend at Hotel Sorrento on the evening of Boxing Day, before making their way collectively to the Continental Hotel just before midnight. It is there where the altercation they are alleged to have been involved in took place.
Melbourne provided multiple outlets with the following one-sentence statement: “It is the role of police to check the veracity of any complaint, and we will assist where required.”
Prestia on Tuesday opted not to address questions over the allegations when approached at Richmond’s community camp in Albury, telling a 9 News reporter to “f*** off” before adding “there’s kids around”.
When approached by the Herald Sun, a Richmond spokesperson pointed to the club’s initial December statement, which read: “Prestia saw it happening but in no way was he involved. They weren’t involved in any physical altercation.”
Both Prestia and May began their AFL careers in 2011 at the Gold Coast Suns before returning to Victoria.
May was traded to the Demons after the 2018 season before earning back-to-back All-Australian selections and playing a key role in the Demons’ 2021 premiership.
Prestia joined Richmond ahead of the 2017 season then played in all three Tigers premiership sides while also claiming the 2019 best and fairest award.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2025-steven-may-and-dion-prestia-accused-of-involvement-in-sorrento-brawl-melbourne-and-richmond-club-statements-police-statement-what-happened-latest-news/news-story/39633d2a0cc48503a1bde19e527e75ac
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“f*** off, there’s kids around” is one hilarious response :lol
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:lol
Telling any reporter to stuff off would be highly satisfying
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I watched the vision and he actually said
"F--- off you d---head"
And then said after the reporter said something (totally inaudible whic always seems to be the case in these situations) "there's kids around"
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Thats gold, well done meatball.
does anyone have the link for it, and who was the reporter?
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Thats gold, well done meatball.
does anyone have the link for it, and who was the reporter?
It was a young reporter up in Albury from Ch9 up there. I'll hunt around for the link. I saw it on X (twitter)
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Here's the link
https://www.9news.com.au/national/richmond-star-dion-prestia-swears-at-media-amid--sorrento-brawl-allegations/f72262ec-b180-490b-8bb0-12b5b16c15df
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Here's the link
https://www.9news.com.au/national/richmond-star-dion-prestia-swears-at-media-amid--sorrento-brawl-allegations/f72262ec-b180-490b-8bb0-12b5b16c15df
hahaha i love the last line, "go get a life "
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Set to be charged.
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A statement from Victoria Police 👇
The 33-year from Mt Eliza is Steve May and the 32-year from Hawthorn is Dion Prestia. They are set to be charged with affray and recklessly causing injury.
May and Prestia have both strongly denied any wrongdoing.
@FootyonNine @9NewsMelb
https://x.com/tommorris32/status/1919205097671983177
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https://x.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/1919216116804526333
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AFL premiership players Steven May and Dion Prestia set to be charged by police
By Glenn Valencich
7news
5 May 2025
AFL premiership players Steven May and Dion Prestia are expected to be charged by police following an investigation into an alleged 2am brawl, 7NEWS Melbourne’s Mitch Cleary reports.
The former Gold Coast Suns teammates were celebrating a bucks party at Sorrento’s Continental Hotel on Boxing Day but denied being involved in a fight that later broke out on nearby streets.
Two men were taken to hospital after an incident in Sorrento in the early hours of December 27.
An investigation ramped up in the past fortnight, with May, Prestia and a 26-year-old man interviewed by police.
They are now expected to be charged on summons.
“Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit detectives have interviewed three men as part of their investigation into an affray in Sorrento on 27 December,” police said.
“The interviews follow a report to police about a physical altercation between two groups of men on Point Nepean Road about 2am.
“Two men were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries at the time.
“A 32-year-old man from Hawthorn, a 33-year-old man from Mount Eliza and a 26-year-old Blairgowrie man have all been interviewed in relation to the incident.
“The trio are expected to be charged on summons.”
Melbourne and Richmond are yet to comment.
https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-premiership-players-steven-may-and-dion-prestia-set-to-be-charged-by-police-c-18585202
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Set to be charged.
I guess it won’t matter if we suspend him…
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Set to be charged.
I guess it won’t matter if we suspend him…
Retire him
Mid season pick
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Seems to have just been interviewed and not charged. I wonder if May will get 6 weeks aka Balta, sounds like he started it.
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Wonder if the media will make a storm of this now like they did to poor Balta. Not a good look for two tiges in 2 incidents :banghead
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Nah balta pled guilty that would be the difference. May innocent until proven otherwise.
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Nah balta pled guilty that would be the difference. May and Prestia innocent until proven otherwise.
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Seems to have just been interviewed and not charged. I wonder if May will get 6 weeks aka Balta, sounds like he started it.
Why would they? If there’s no footage, it’s play on. Isn’t there a player accused of a much worse crime that’s been swept under the carpet. AFL is a joke.
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Ch7 News tonight said Vic Police have back tracked
Incident still be investigated
Both men interviewed but not charged
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Ch7 News tonight said Vic Police have back tracked
Incident still be investigated
Both men interviewed but not charged
Whoever leaked it should be ashamed
People will blame the media .. ain’t the fault of the media
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Ch7 News tonight said Vic Police have back tracked
Incident still be investigated
Both men interviewed but not charged
Whoever leaked it should be ashamed
People will blame the media .. ain’t the fault of the media
It wasn't leaked Damo
Vic Polce released a statement around 7am saying 3 blokes were going to be charged
Then this arvo they retracted that and said matter was still be investigated
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Ch7 News tonight said Vic Police have back tracked
Incident still be investigated
Both men interviewed but not charged
Whoever leaked it should be ashamed
People will blame the media .. ain’t the fault of the media
It wasn't leaked Damo
Voice Polce released a statement around 7am saying 3 blokes were going to be charged
Then this arvo they retracted that and said matter was still be investigated
Victorian Police should be sued for defamation
Absolute disgrace
Why release a statement saying three blokes are “going to be charged”
RELEASE WHEN THEY ARE CHARGED
Remember when the Dean Laidley photos got leaked (of him sitting in a police station ffs)
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It wasn't leaked Damo
Voice Polce released a statement around 7am saying 3 blokes were going to be charged
Wait there's "Voice Police" now - before counting's even finished? Didn't Albo long..talk about hubris.... :shh
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From the tale in the papers May will get charged, he seems to have started it.
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Club Statement: Dion Prestia
Richmond has released the following statement regarding Dion Prestia.
Richmond website
Oct 30, 2025, 8:00 am
Richmond can confirm that Victoria Police has charged Dion Prestia in relation to an incident in December 2024.
Dion strenuously denies any wrongdoing and will defend himself accordingly. As with any member of the community, he is entitled to the presumption of innocence.
The Club will continue to support him as the legal process takes its course. He will return to pre-season training next month.
As the matter is now before the courts, the Club will not be making any further comment.
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1923141/club-statement-dion-prestia
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Richmond and Melbourne premiership stars charged by police
By SEN
30 Oct 2025
Richmond’s Dion Prestia and Melbourne’s Steven May have both been charged by Victoria Police, reports Tom Morris.
The premiership stars will face court for an incident that occurred 11 months ago in Sorrento.
Both Prestia and May will appear in Dromana Magistrates Court on November 27.
Tigers veteran Prestia denied any wrongdoing.
“I have today been charged with the offense of recklessly causing serious injury as a result of an altercation that apparently took place on Boxing Day 2024 at Sorrento
“I was not involved in the fight. I was not even physically present when it apparently took place. I deny that I am guilty of these offences and will strenuously defend these charges.
“As I have now been charged, it would be inappropriate for me to say anything further."
The incident involving other man took place in the early hours after Boxing Day in December on Point Nepean Road in Sorrento.
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2025/10/29/afl-2025-steven-may-dion-prestia-charged-by-police-sorrento-incident
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Sounds like a witch hunt IMO
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Prestia should have smacked his balls with a machete. Would have got off.
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I hope the cops have some reasonable and clear evidence. If not ,is it just another case where they abuse their powers .
If Prestia is innocent as he says he is, it’s an unjust punishment to have serious charges hanging over your head for so long.
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I hope the cops have some reasonable and clear evidence. If not ,is it just another case where they abuse their powers .
If Prestia is innocent as he says he is, it’s an unjust punishment to have serious charges hanging over your head for so long.
Going by news reports Dion has only just been charged, so he hasn't had "serious charges hanging over" his "head for so long". The investigation has been going on for nearly 12 months though
But anyway ... interesting on tonight's news (Ch7) they showed pictures of the alleged victim in hospital with his injuries....no surprises there
Dion's statement is direct and very clear. On the front foot straight away sending a very clear message. Applaud him and the Club for their response
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I wonder if this would be an issue if Prestia wore blue and white hoops
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If i had to guess the cops have CCTV footage of dion at the pub but no footage of the actual incident and are going by an eye witness naming him as a participant. If they did have footage of the actual incident then no doubt it would have made its way to the media by now and he wouldn’t be stupid enough to say he wasn’t there when there was clear proof he was.
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Well said TK.
Wouldn't be surprised if May gave someone a hiding but :lol Prestia clearly not involved in the brawl imo
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Victoria Police said three men had been charged over the altercation in Sorrento after an investigation by Mornington detectives.
“It is alleged two groups were involved in an altercation on Point Nepean Road about 2am on 27 December 2024,” the police statement said.
“Two men were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries at the time. Detectives interviewed three men in May as part of their investigation.
“A 26-year-old Blairgowrie man has been charged on summons with affray and will appear before the Dromana Magistrates’ Court on 20 November.
“A 33-year-old Hawthorn man has been charged on summons with recklessly cause serious injury, intentionally cause injury, recklessly cause injury and affray.
“A 33-year-old Mt Eliza man has been charged on summons with affray.”
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-star-dion-prestia-charged-over-boxing-day-fight-at-sorrento-20251030-p5n6ex.html
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Is Prestia the hawthorn man or the Mount Eliza man because it would be pretty wild if he is being charged with more serious counts then may lol
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May is Mt Eliza and Prestia is Hawthorn.
That's wild
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Clearly police believe it was Prestia that has done the damage. I remember reading a post on big footy a while back when this first surfaced from a person that was either there or had clear knowledge of the incident. He stated Prestia was not involved in the fight.
Interesting situation..
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Just a hypothetical - what if this was Danger and Jezza down at the Cattery.
A) Would there be charges
B) Would it end up in media
It’s like the free kick count, contrived and pathetic
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This one is a bit more serious than Balta case. The victim is apparently blind as a result of the assault. Will say again, what an insane beat up the Balta case was.
Hopefully there is video evidence showing Prestia leaving and elsewhere at time of assault
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Richmond and Melbourne premiership stars charged by police
By SEN
30 Oct 2025
Richmond’s Dion Prestia and Melbourne’s Steven May have both been charged by Victoria Police, reports Tom Morris.
The premiership stars will face court for an incident that occurred 11 months ago in Sorrento.
Both Prestia and May will appear in Dromana Magistrates Court on November 27.
Tigers veteran Prestia denied any wrongdoing.
“I have today been charged with the offense of recklessly causing serious injury as a result of an altercation that apparently took place on Boxing Day 2024 at Sorrento
“I was not involved in the fight. I was not even physically present when it apparently took place. I deny that I am guilty of these offences and will strenuously defend these charges.
“As I have now been charged, it would be inappropriate for me to say anything further."
The incident involving other man took place in the early hours after Boxing Day in December on Point Nepean Road in Sorrento.
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2025/10/29/afl-2025-steven-may-dion-prestia-charged-by-police-sorrento-incident
If Prestia is proven correct, he should sue the Vic police. If wrong, well he frankly was probably going to miss with soft tissue injuries so same same
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This one is a bit more serious than Balta case. The victim is apparently blind as a result of the assault. Will say again, what an insane beat up the Balta case was.
Hopefully there is video evidence showing Prestia leaving and elsewhere at time of assault
More to the point, they need evidence that Prestia was not only present, but actually the one doing the damage.
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Pretty wild allegations. You’d think if the person wanted to wrongly accuse someone and he had the choice between dion Prestia and Steven May, the choice would be obvious lol
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Amid conjecture over whether Dion Prestia and/or Steven May were physically present when a fight broke out in Sorrento last December… a witness has come forward.
The witness gave a sworn statement to police confirming both players were not there.
The witness, Prestia and May know who was involved in the scuffle, but have not revealed any names to authorities.
@9NewsMelb @FootyonNine @1116sen
https://x.com/tommorris32/status/1984011647346971090
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Don’t let the truth get in the way of a good prosecution😊, the cops would be excited about a couple of AFL scalps .
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This one is a bit more serious than Balta case. The victim is apparently blind as a result of the assault. Will say again, what an insane beat up the Balta case was.
Hopefully there is video evidence showing Prestia leaving and elsewhere at time of assault
More to the point, they need evidence that Prestia was not only present, but actually the one doing the damage.
Correct.
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A Boxing Day brawl which has entangled Dion Prestia and Steven May may have started over unwanted advances to a woman.
Paywall: DETAILS 👉https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-victoria/sorrento-brawl-may-have-been-over-unwanted-advances-to-woman/news-story/19b560ba4e701767fa99d2e26fd07837
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G4vpve1akAAdWxW?format=jpg&name=900x900)
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A Boxing Day brawl which has entangled Dion Prestia and Steven May may have started over unwanted advances to a woman.
Paywall: DETAILS 👉https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-victoria/sorrento-brawl-may-have-been-over-unwanted-advances-to-woman/news-story/19b560ba4e701767fa99d2e26fd07837
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G4vpve1akAAdWxW?format=jpg&name=900x900)
A Boxing Day brawl that led to charges against AFL stars Dion Prestia and Steven May may have been sparked after unwanted advances were made toward a woman.
The Herald Sun understands one version of events is that friction developed at the Sorrento Hotel after one member of a large group which the players were in made approaches towards a woman from the local area.
Security allegedly intervened after tempers flared when men who knew the woman stepped in.
But the groups came together again later at the Continental Hotel where words were exchanged and things turned violent away from the Point Nepean Rd venue.
Richmond player Prestia, Melbourne backman May and a 26-year-old Blairgowrie man were last week all charged with affray over the alleged confrontation.
Prestia, 33, also faces counts of recklessly causing serious injury, intentionally causing injury and recklessly causing injury.
The events of that night have had a severe aftermath for local tradie Will Salter who has been unable to return to work.
Mr Salter, an electrician, has lost sight in one eye from injuries he suffered that night after the groups allegedly clashed, meaning he cannot carry out high voltage work.
The Herald Sun is not suggesting that Prestia or May is alleged to have caused Mr Salter’s injuries.
He did not want to comment publicly when approached about the alleged events at Sorrento.
“I’m just going to let the police do their thing,” Mr Salter said.
The Herald Sun revealed last week that the charges were laid after the matter was reviewed by the Office of Public Prosecutions.
Prestia said last Thursday he was not involved in any fight and would defend the charges.
A Demon statement said May had told the club he was not involved in the incident.
A detailed brief-of-evidence in the matter was sent to the OPP earlier this year after Prestia, May and a third man were interviewed by detectives.
Mr Salter and another man were both treated in hospital after the fracas, which allegedly happened in the early hours of December 27.
Detailed witness statements, medical records and CCTV footage from the Continental have been part of the police investigation.
It is believed a retired AFL personality was with the group of players and others who were together on the night of the violence.
A statement issued by the Tigers after their man was charged said he would be supported in the legal process.
“As with any member of the community, he is entitled to the presumption of innocence. He will return to pre-season training next month,” the club said.
Prestia’s teammate Noah Balta was involved in off-field drama last off-season when he was charged with an attack on a man outside a pub in the Murray River town of Mulwala.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-victoria/sorrento-brawl-may-have-been-over-unwanted-advances-to-woman/news-story/19b560ba4e701767fa99d2e26fd07837
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Be interested if charges have been laid based on witness statements of any CCTV that goes against any statement Prestia has made.
I'd be surprised if Prestia has lied about his recount of not being there and then there be evidence suggesting this isn't true. Reckon this gets knocked on the head pretty quick and the gent who has suffered an injury is looking for some compo because of work impact. Feel for players in this instance, easy targets in many ways.
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If there was any CCTV, then why has it taken so long to press charges?
Feels like circumstantial evidence only
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If there was any CCTV, then why has it taken so long to press charges?
Feels like circumstantial evidence only
It's interesting isn't it. BTW reading the article it appears the OPP has had the brief to review since May
But The part of the article that I found interesting was Police did their brief of evidence and then got it reviewed by the OPP before any charges were laid. OPP reviewed then the charges....that seems strange to me