Court Details Emerge in Boxing Day Brawl Involving AFL Stars May and Prestia
Explosive new details have been presented in court regarding a violent Boxing Day altercation that allegedly involved prominent Australian Football League players Steven May and Dion Prestia. The incident is said to have occurred outside the Continental Hotel in Sorrento, Victoria, on December 26, 2024, resulting in one man being hospitalised with significant injuries.
Footballers Deny Involvement Amidst Serious Charges
In January, both May and Prestia formally requested that the multiple charges against them be withdrawn during a preliminary hearing. Prestia, the 33-year-old decorated Richmond midfielder, released a public statement asserting he "was not even physically present when it (the brawl) apparently took place." He further declared his intention to "strenuously defend" his reputation following the charges laid against him last October.
Despite these firm denials from the football stars, prosecutors this week presented allegations in the Dromana Magistrates' Court that placed May at the centre of the conflict. According to reports, the prosecution claims the incident began when May, a 2021 premiership player with the Melbourne Demons, allegedly "put his arm around" a woman while her boyfriend was nearby, sparking an initial verbal confrontation.
Alleged Sequence of Events Leading to Violent Confrontation
The court heard that later that same evening, the 34-year-old key defender allegedly approached the same group of locals again, leading to another verbal altercation. The situation reportedly escalated when local man Storm Bobridge, who pleaded guilty to affray and was fined $7,500 on Thursday, allegedly struck one of the friends accompanying May and Prestia.
What followed, according to prosecution accounts presented on February 5, was a chaotic street brawl. The prosecutor stated: "May grabbed Bobridge and struck him to the head, causing both groups to start throwing punches." The account continued: "The group of males with May and Prestia then swarmed Bobridge... and friend Will Salter then goes to assist Bobridge and as he does this, he senses someone coming from his left-hand side. He turns to see Prestia coming towards him and punch him to the left eye area."
Serious Injuries and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The physical consequences of the alleged altercation were severe. Bobridge sustained a concussion and damaged his left knee during the brawl. Meanwhile, Salter is reportedly losing sight in his left eye after suffering a detached retina, with his eye socket also fractured in the incident.
May faces a single charge of affray, while Prestia confronts more serious charges including recklessly causing serious injury, intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury, and affray. The case has been adjourned ahead of a contest mention hearing scheduled for February 20 at Frankston Magistrates Court.
Separate Police Visit Adds to May's Troubles
Compounding May's legal challenges, the Melbourne Football Club has reportedly questioned the defender about a separate incident where Victoria Police officers visited his residence last week. According to sources, the police attendance followed a call from "somebody close" to the player. A club spokesperson confirmed awareness of the visit but stated: "The Melbourne Football Club is aware that Victoria Police attended the home of Steven May last week. The club is not in a position to comment at this stage." No charges resulted from this visit.
In a significant development for May's football career, 7News reporter Mitch Cleary revealed this week that the defender has not returned to training and has "taken indefinite leave from the club," casting uncertainty over his future with the Demons as both legal and club investigations continue.
