Former AFL star Nicky Winmar has been sentenced to six months in jail for a violent assault on a woman. The 60-year-old was sentenced in Bendigo magistrates court today, 28 August 2026, for the assault that occurred in May 2025 at Cohuna in northern Victoria.
Magistrate Trieu Huynh described the offending as violent and unprovoked. Winmar was found guilty in July of two counts of common law assault and one charge of unlawful assault.
Following his release from jail, Winmar will be subject to a community corrections order for one year. His barrister, Dermot Dann KC, immediately indicated that his client would be appealing both the sentence and conviction. Winmar is expected to apply for bail later today.
The court heard that the woman, who cannot be identified, stated Winmar unexpectedly became angry before grabbing and twisting her arm. She also told the court he dragged her by the hair, pushed her against a wall, spat in her face, and repeatedly bashed her head into a wooden door.
Dann had argued for a community corrections order only, stating his client had already been punished. Winmar was removed from the AFL Hall of Fame and his statue was removed from Perth’s Optus Stadium following his conviction.