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Police are set to charge Melbourne’s Steven May and Richmond’s Dion Prestia over an alleged altercation in Sorrento last December that hospitalised two men.
It’s alleged that the pair were part of a larger bucks party group who had been celebrating at the Continental Hotel when a fight broke out nearby.
According to Nine News reporter Tom Morris and Channel 7’s Mitch Cleary, both the Demons and Tigers players are part of the police investigation.
Victoria Police have issued a statement, confirming that the pair, along with another man, are 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.
“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 the incident.”
The Herald Sun reported that in a statement to police in January, the alleged victim, Rye man Will Salter, claimed he suffered a broken eye socket, fractured nose and detached retina during the fight, with the AFL players involved and throwing punches.
May and Prestia have strongly denied any wrongdoing, with the Tigers admitting at the time their player saw the incident, but wasn’t involved.
“I think the truth will come out soon when the police investigation is done,” the Melbourne defender stating back in February.
It comes after Prestia’s teammate Noah Balta was recently sentenced for assaulting a man, also in December last year.
Willie Rioli has apologised for a private message sent to a Western Bulldogs player that caused a stir and was referred to the AFL.
The Herald Sun reported that the Bulldogs were concerned by an allegedly hostile post-match threat aimed at Bailey Dale.
According to the report, the Port Adelaide forward sent the message to one of Dale’s teammates ahead of this weekend’s game in Darwin, where the Dogs will meet the Gold Coast Suns.
The report alleges Rioli said he had ‘lots of friends in Darwin and he (Dale) should be careful leaving his hotel room’.
It came after the players clashed physically and verbally on-field, where Rioli was fined $1000 for the incident in the third quarter.
The league later announced that it will take no further action but it’s an unwelcome distraction for the Power ahead of next Saturday night’s Showdown against Adelaide.
“Port Adelaide is aware of a private message sent by Willie Rioli to a Western Bulldogs player following Saturday afternoon’s game between the two clubs,” the Power said in a statement on Monday evening.
“The matter has now been resolved privately after Willie contacted Bailey Dale from the Bulldogs.”
The Bulldogs quickly raised the matter with the AFL and the Port Adelaide club, detailing the seriousness of the contents of the message.
The league also put out a brief statement, saying it had “reminded both clubs to ensure any communications remain respectful”.
The Herald Sun reported that Rioli reached out to Dale to apologise following high-level talks between both clubs and the AFL, and avoided a fine or suspension under the league’s respect and responsibility policy, for seriously threatening another AFL player.
Port are coming off a 90-point thrashing from the Bulldogs on Saturday in Ballarat.
Last month, Rioli posted a social media statement declaring his “hatred” for Hawthorn over the club’s treatment of indigenous players, including his father, Willie Sr.
– with AAP
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