Nicky Winmar stripped of Australian Football Hall of Fame status after he was found guilty of assault
Nicky Winmar has been stripped of his Australian Football Hall of Fame status after he was found guilty of assaulting a woman.
Nicky Winmar has been stripped of his Australian Football Hall of Fame status after he was found guilty of assaulting a woman.
AFL commission chair Craig Drummond confirmed the decision on Wednesday.
“The Australian Football Hall of Fame exists to recognise the highest achievements in our game and admission to it is one of the greatest honours Australian football can bestow,” he said in a statement released by the AFL.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“The Commission has a responsibility to protect the integrity and reputation of that honour.
“Violence against women has no place. Not in our community, not in our game, and not in the values the Australian Football Hall of Fame seeks to uphold.
“The Commission acknowledges Nicky Winmar’s significant contribution to Australian Football and his place in our history. However, the recent findings against him render inappropriate his place in the Australian Football Hall of Fame.”
The move comes after a statue of Winmar at Optus Stadium in Perth was torn down under a directive from the West Australian government.
It follows Winmar’s conviction on three charges after he was found guilty of attacking a woman at Cohuna in northern Victoria in May 2025.
Immediately after the AFL’s statement on Wednesday, St Kilda announced they would suspend Winmar from their club’s Hall of Fame ahead of a final decision at a later date.
“A determination regarding Winmar’s ongoing place in the Hall of Fame will be made following the formal conclusion of the full legal process, including the completion of any appeal,” the club said in a statement.
“Violence against women has no place in our community. Our thoughts are with anyone impacted by this matter.”
Bendigo Magistrate Trieu Huynh convicted Winmar of two charges of common law assault and one count of unlawful assault, finding the prosecution had proven those offences beyond reasonable doubt.
The charges related to the allegations Winmar grabbed the woman by the arm, dragged her by the hair and hit her head against a door.
Winmar was acquitted on the fourth charge of intentionally causing injury, with Mr Huynh finding the woman’s “substantial pain” fell short of the sort of injury required for the charge.
After Winmar’s conviction, West Australian Premier Roger Cook said he had directed VenuesWest to remove the statue of Winmar from Optus Stadium.
The statue of Winmar, which depicted his iconic stance against racism of lifting his jumper and pointing to his skin, was taken down last fortnight.
“Violence against women is never acceptable, and it is important we send a strong message to the community,” Mr Cook said.
“Following Nicky Winmar’s conviction, I’m of the firm view that it is no longer appropriate for that statue to be displayed.”
VenuesWest is storing the statue while its future is considered.
Recruited by St Kilda from South Fremantle, Winmar was the first Indigenous footballer to play 200 games in the AFL. He played 230 games with the Saints and 21 for the Bulldogs.
If you or someone you know is impacted by domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800respect.org.au.
