{"id":259005,"date":"2025-11-03T04:59:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T04:59:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/259005\/"},"modified":"2025-11-03T04:59:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T04:59:13","slug":"new-revelation-in-events-leading-to-boxing-day-brawl-that-saw-two-afl-stars-charged-with-affray","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/259005\/","title":{"rendered":"New revelation in events leading to Boxing Day brawl that saw two AFL stars charged with affray"},"content":{"rendered":"

Both players are strenuously denying any involvement<\/p>\n

By JOSH ALSTON, SPORTS REPORTER<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 22:30 EDT, 2 November 2025 | Updated: 22:30 EDT, 2 November 2025 <\/p>\n

Fresh details have emerged about the events leading up to a Boxing Day brawl that led to charges against AFL<\/a> players Dion Prestia and Steven May.<\/p>\n

According to information reported by News Corp<\/a>, tensions first began at the Sorrento Hotel when a member of a group that included the two footballers allegedly made approaches toward a local woman.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Security intervened after several men who knew the woman stepped in, leading to a heated exchange between the groups.<\/p>\n

The situation reportedly escalated later that night when the parties crossed paths again at the Continental Hotel on Point Nepean Road.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Witnesses claim that words were exchanged before the confrontation allegedly turned physical outside the venue in the early hours of December 27, 2024.<\/p>\n

Prestia, 33, and May, 33, were both charged last week following a review by the Office of Public Prosecutions, however both deny that they were involved in the brawl.<\/p>\n

\"Richmond <\/p>\n

Richmond star Dion Prestia, pictured with girlfriend\u00a0Brooke Bailey, has denied being present for the brawl and is fighting the charges<\/p>\n

\"Melbourne <\/p>\n

Melbourne Demons star Steven May, pictured with his young family, has also denied any involvement<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The alleged brawl reportedly started when tensions flared at Hotel Sorrento on Boxing Day in 2024\u00a0<\/p>\n

Prestia faces counts of affray, recklessly causing serious injury, intentionally causing injury, and recklessly causing injury. May has been charged with affray.<\/p>\n

The incident left local electrician Will Salter seriously injured, with reports confirming he has lost sight in one eye and has been unable to return to work.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Police have gathered CCTV footage, medical records, and detailed witness statements as part of the investigation.<\/p>\n

Prestia has denied any involvement, saying he was not present when the alleged violence occurred and would ‘strenuously defend’ the charges.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Melbourne’s Steven May has also told his club he was not involved in the altercation.<\/p>\n

The Demons released a statement, saying\u00a0‘the club will continue to support Steven through this process’.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘Steven has advised the club that he was not involved in the alleged incident and will strongly defend the charge in court.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

A statement from Richmond confirmed Prestia would continue to be supported through the legal process, emphasising his right to the presumption of innocence.<\/p>\n

‘I have today been charged with the offense [sic] of recklessly causing serious injury as a result of an altercation that apparently took place on Boxing Day 2024 at Sorrento,’ the statement read.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘I was not involved in the fight. I was not even physically present when it apparently took place.<\/p>\n

‘I deny that I am guilty of these offences and will strenuously defend these charges.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

Both players are expected to appear in Dromana Magistrates’ Court on November 27.<\/p>\n

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