A Boxing Day brawl which has entangled Dion Prestia and Steven May may have started over unwanted advances to a woman.
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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.
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