AFL players Steven May and Dion Prestia are under investigation following a Boxing Day altercation on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula that resulted in two men being hospitalised. Alongside a 26-year-old man from Blairgowrie, the athletes were initially expected to face charges of affray and recklessly causing injury in connection with the incident that took place near the Continental Hotel in Sorrento.
Victoria Police reported that the players and the Blairgowrie man had been interviewed and subsequently released while inquiries continue, with no charges having been laid at this time.
Among the victims, 22-year-old Will Salter sustained severe injuries, including a fractured nose, a broken eye socket, and a detached retina, leading to legal blindness in one eye. In a statement, Salter accused May of attacking his friend and claimed that Prestia was also involved. Salter stated that he and his friends were celebrating at the hotel when the alleged assailants, May and Prestia, followed them down a nearby road, leading to a physical conflict in the early hours of December 27.
According to Salter, the confrontation escalated quickly, with May reportedly instigating the violence by yelling and striking his friend. Salter indicated that he was attacked while on the ground and was kicked multiple times, though he could not see who was responsible for the additional blows.
Both May and Prestia have strongly denied any involvement in the incident. Following the fight, Salter was admitted to the hospital for treatment and is currently unable to continue his work as an apprentice electrician. Another individual was also hospitalised due to serious health issues, including seizures.
9News clarifies that the report does not imply guilt on the part of the AFL players and urges any witnesses or individuals with relevant information to contact Crime Stoppers.
The situation remains under scrutiny as the investigation proceeds, and the AFL community closely watches the developments surrounding the players’ involvement in the alleged incident.