RICHMOND’S Dion Prestia and Melbourne’s Steven May have both denied they were involved in a brawl in December last year that led to police charges.
Prestia and Melbourne’s All-Australian defender May will front court next month after being charged over a fight in the Victorian coastal town of Sorrento.
Prestia is protesting his innocence after being charged with recklessly causing serious injury, while May has told Melbourne he was not involved in the incident and will defend the charge.
“I have today been charged with the offence of recklessly causing serious injury as a result of an altercation that apparently took place on Boxing Day 2024 at Sorrento,” Prestia said in a statement issued by Richmond.
“I was not involved in the fight. I was not even physically present when it apparently took place.
“I deny that I am guilty of these offences and will strenuously defend these charges.”
Dion Prestia after Richmond’s loss to Collingwood in round 20, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos
Richmond said the club would offer support to Prestia ahead of his court appearance.
“Dion strenuously denies any wrongdoing and will defend himself accordingly,” a club statement said.
“As with any member of the community, he is entitled to the presumption of innocence.”
Melbourne’s May has yet to comment publicly but the Demons released a statement on Thursday afternoon, confirming both May’s charge and their support for the veteran during the court process.
“The Melbourne Football Club can confirm that Steven May has been charged with one count of affray by Victoria Police in relation to an alleged incident that occurred in December last year,” the statement read.
“Steven has advised the club that he was not involved in the alleged incident and will strongly defend the charge in court.
“The club will continue to support Steven throughout this process. As the matter is now before the courts, the club will not be making any further comment.”
Steven May poses for a photo during Melbourne’s official team photo day on January 29, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos
Victoria Police said the duo, former teammates at Gold Coast, were charged by Mornington Crime Investigation detectives.
Police alleged two groups of men were involved in an altercation on Point Nepean Road at Sorrento about 2am on December 27 last year.
“Two men were taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries at the time,” police said in a statement on Thursday.
“Detectives interviewed three men in May as part of their investigation.”
May and Prestia were charged along with a 26-year-old man from Blairgowrie, who will face a count of affray.
May and Prestia, who started their AFL careers together at Gold Coast, will front Dromana Magistrates Court on November 27.
Prestia is a three-time premiership player with Richmond who won the club’s best-and-fairest award in 2019.
He started his career with May at the Suns in 2011, moved to the Tigers in 2017, and has played 237 AFL games.
May, after making his debut with Gold Coast in 2011, captained the club from 2017-18 before joining the Demons for the 2019 season.
The premiership player and dual All-Australian has played 251 AFL games, but faced an uncertain future at the club when told to explore trade options last month.
No clubs sought to trade in the key defender, who remains contracted at Melbourne until the end of next year.
