Police are poised to charge AFL players Steven May and Dion Prestia over their alleged involvement in a wild brawl outside a pub in Victoria’s south-east over Christmas that left a 22-year-old apprentice with permanent eye damage.
A 26-year-old man from Blairgowrie, who was also allegedly involved in the altercation in the early hours of December 27 but was not with May and Prestia, is also facing assault charges, according to police.
Richmond star Dion Prestia, Melbourne fullback Steven May and alleged victim Will Salter.Credit: The Age/Supplied
“A 32-year-old man from Hawthorn, a 33-year-old man from Mount Eliza and a 26-year-old Blairgowrie man have all been interviewed in relation to the incident,” Victoria Police said in a statement on Monday.
“The trio are expected to be charged on summons.”
This masthead revealed in February that Will Salter had been left unconscious as a result of the brawl outside The Continental in Sorrento, after words were exchanged between Salter’s group of friends and May and Prestia’s group earlier in the night.
On Monday, Salter told this masthead he had lost all vision in his left eye as a result of the attack, after a series of operations at The Alfred hospital failed to restore his sight. He had endured a broken eye socket, detached retina and fractured nose.
The apprentice electrician lost his job following the violent altercation, which he says he got involved in only because his friend was being assaulted. His friend was also taken to hospital.
“I’ve paid a huge price for helping out my mate. I’ve lost my job, while they [May and Prestia] have been able to continue playing footy and have been supported by their clubs,” Salter said.
“Finally, it looks like we might be close to getting some justice.”
This masthead is not suggesting that May or Prestia were responsible for Salter’s injuries and police have not alleged that.
May, 33, is a key defender for the Melbourne Demons. Prestia, 32, is a prominent midfielder for the Richmond Tigers.
A spokesman for the Demons said the club was aware of the police statement, but would make no further comment. A spokeswoman for the Tigers said Prestia was unaware of any charges.
Police have ramped up their investigation over the past month.
“Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit detectives have interviewed three men as part of their investigation into an affray in Sorrento on December 27,” Victoria Police said.
As reported by this masthead in February, a female witness, who asked not to be identified because she says she is still traumatised by the incident, confirmed the two premiership players were part of a group that allegedly assaulted Salter and his friend.
“May has said something like, ‘Well look who it is’, when he approached the victims after leaving The Continental hotel. He just came straight for Will’s friend. They shook each other a bit, and all of a sudden, the fight broke out,” the woman said.
Salter in hospital.
“I’ve never witnessed anything like this in my life. I was screaming. I genuinely thought they were both going to die.”
May and Prestia had been celebrating a bucks’ party at the Sorrento Hotel earlier in the evening, while Salter and his friends, who all live on the Mornington Peninsula, had been having dinner at the same venue. Both groups moved to The Continental about 11pm.
However, when Salter and three friends left the hotel, widely known as “The Conti”, about 1.20am, they claim they encountered May, Prestia and their group on the road.
“There were words between my group and the other group for a bit … then I saw Steven May yelling and screaming, ‘Come on, let’s go’, and then I saw him punch [my friend] to the face, and then it was on,” Salter said in his police statement made on January 23.
The area where the fight occurred is not covered by CCTV.
Prestia and May made their AFL debuts with the Gold Coast Suns in 2011. Prestia left after the 2016 season to join Richmond, going on to claim a best-and-fairest award and three premierships.
May quit the Suns after the 2018 season, and enjoyed the ultimate team success with the Demons in 2021. He was the All-Australian fullback in 2021 and 2022.
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