Australian football great Barry Cable is facing allegations he sexually abused a Perth teenager during his playing career.
Cable, 79, will be the subject of a five-day civil trial beginning on Wednesday, with the former ruck rover accused of sexually abusing the woman in ’68, when she was in her early teens and he was in his mid-20s, and in ’73 when she was in her late teens and he was near 30.
His identity had previously been suppressed, but District Court Judge Mark Herron ruled Cable could be named ahead of the trial.
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The woman is also seeking damages for psychiatric harm, which she alleges she suffered because of Cable’s sexual behaviour and harassment, which she alleges continued until she was in her late thirties.
Cable denies all the allegations and has never been charged.
The woman’s legal bid began in 2019 after West Australia reform allowed people to commence legal action regardless of how long ago they allege sexual abuse.
Cable is one of football’s most decorated players and one of West Australia’s greatest ever players.
In his 379 senior games, Cable won multiple premierships and best and fairest awards across Perth, North Melbourne and East Perth.
He has since been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame and was awarded the coveted ‘Legend’ status in 2012.
The matter and Cable’s identity had been suppressed since 2019 before the recent ruling.
