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# Winmar appeals assault conviction as statue is removed
- URL: https://www.bushletter.com/winmar-appeals-assault-conviction-as-statue-is-removed/
- Published: 2026-08-29T04:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-29T04:00:00.000Z
- Description: Magistrate Trieu Huynh sentenced Nicky Winmar to six months' jail and a 12-month community corrections order on 28 August 2026, then released him on bail after he lodged an appeal against the conviction.
- Author: Editor
- Tags: Sport, Australia, Nicky Winmar

![Caleb Reed](https://res.cloudinary.com/dz77sb7j1/image/upload/v1774262572/bushletter/authors/caleb-reed.png)

By **Caleb Reed** · 2026-08-28

TLDR

Nicky Winmar has lodged an appeal against his assault conviction after Bendigo Magistrates' Court sentenced him to six months' jail and a 12-month community corrections order. The AFL removed him from its Hall of Fame and his bronze statue outside Optus Stadium has been taken down. Winmar was released on bail pending the appeal outcome.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

01Magistrate Trieu Huynh sentenced Winmar to six months' jail plus a 12-month community corrections order.

02Three counts of assault were proven; a fourth charge of intentionally causing injury was dismissed.

03The AFL Commission removed Winmar from its Hall of Fame, effective immediately on 15 July 2026.

04WA Premier Roger Cook directed VenuesWest to remove the 2.75-metre bronze statue from Optus Stadium.

05St Kilda suspended Winmar from its own Hall of Fame pending the appeal result rather than removing him outright.

Magistrate Trieu Huynh sentenced Nicky Winmar to six months' jail and a 12-month community corrections order on 28 August 2026, then released him on bail after he lodged an appeal against the conviction.[\[1\]](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-28/nicky-winmar-afl-sentenced-assault-woman/107083820?ref=bushletter.com)

The Bendigo Magistrates' Court found Winmar guilty of three counts of assault on 3 July 2026 and acquitted him of a fourth charge of intentionally causing injury.[\[2\]](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-03/nicky-winmar-found-guilty-of-assaulting-woman/106874278?ref=bushletter.com)

The AFL Commission resolved to remove Winmar from the Australian Football Hall of Fame on 15 July 2026, effective immediately.[\[3\]](https://www.afl.com.au/news/1561268?ref=bushletter.com) AFL Commission Chair Craig Drummond said violence against women has no place in the community, the game, or the values the Australian Football Hall of Fame seeks to uphold.

West Australian Premier Roger Cook directed VenuesWest to remove the bronze statue from Optus Stadium following the conviction.[\[4\]](https://nit.com.au/03-07-2026/25185/nicky-winmars-statue-to-be-removed-after-assault-conviction?ref=bushletter.com) The 2.75-metre bronze depicted Winmar's 1993 gesture at Victoria Park, when he lifted his guernsey and pointed to his skin in defiance of racial abuse.

St Kilda's board resolved to suspend rather than remove Winmar from its own Hall of Fame, pending the outcome of the appeal.[\[5\]](https://www.saints.com.au/news/2069858/club-statement-nicky-winmar?ref=bushletter.com) The board said violence against women has no place in the community and directed its thoughts to anyone impacted by the matter.

Winmar played more than 300 games across stints with South Fremantle, St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs and was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in May 2022\. No appeal date has been set.

SOURCES & CITATIONS

1. [Nicky Winmar sentenced over assault conviction](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-28/nicky-winmar-afl-sentenced-assault-woman/107083820?ref=bushletter.com)
2. [Nicky Winmar found guilty of assaulting woman](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-03/nicky-winmar-found-guilty-of-assaulting-woman/106874278?ref=bushletter.com)
3. [AFL Commission statement on Nicky Winmar](https://www.afl.com.au/news/1561268?ref=bushletter.com)
4. [St Kilda Football Club statement on Nicky Winmar](https://www.saints.com.au/news/2069858/club-statement-nicky-winmar?ref=bushletter.com)
5. [Nicky Winmar statue to be removed after assault conviction](https://nit.com.au/03-07-2026/25185/nicky-winmars-statue-to-be-removed-after-assault-conviction?ref=bushletter.com)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What was Nicky Winmar convicted of?

Bendigo Magistrates' Court found Winmar guilty of three counts of assault on 3 July 2026\. A fourth charge of intentionally causing injury was dismissed.

What sentence did Winmar receive?

Magistrate Trieu Huynh sentenced him to six months' jail and a 12-month community corrections order on 28 August 2026\. He was released on bail pending his appeal.

Why was the Optus Stadium statue removed?

WA Premier Roger Cook directed VenuesWest to remove the 2.75-metre bronze statue following Winmar's assault conviction. The statue depicted his 1993 anti-racism gesture at Victoria Park.

What did the AFL do in response?

The AFL Commission removed Winmar from the Australian Football Hall of Fame on 15 July 2026, effective immediately.

What did St Kilda do?

The St Kilda Football Club Board resolved to suspend Winmar from its own Hall of Fame pending the outcome of the appeal, stopping short of full removal.

![Caleb Reed](https://res.cloudinary.com/dz77sb7j1/image/upload/v1774262572/bushletter/authors/caleb-reed.png)

[Caleb Reed](https://bushletter.com/author/caleb-reed/?ref=bushletter.com)

Caleb Reed covers breaking news and sport. He works to the rhythm of a story as it unfolds, and he is happiest when the facts arrive faster than anyone can spin them.