Clubs break silence on charged premiership pair

Richmond’s Dion Prestia and Melbourne’s Steven May have both been charged by Victoria Police, reports Tom Morris.

The premiership stars will face court for an incident that occurred 11 months ago in Sorrento.

Both Prestia and May will appear in Dromana Magistrates Court on November 27.

SEN regular Tom Morris provided commentary on the ongoing situation.

“There’s three men that have been charged. One is the 26-year-old man from Blairgowrie, but the two in question form an AFL perspective are Steven May and Dion Prestia,” Morris told SEN Mornings.

“Steven May has been charged on summons with affray, whereas Dion Prestia has been charged on summons with recklessly causing serious injury, intentionally causing injury and recklessly causing injury and affray.

“Steven May has privately denied any wrongdoing across the course of the year. Dion Prestia today has very publicly and very strongly and vehemently denied any wrongdoing via a public statement.

“We have a situation now where it has taken 10 months for these charges to be laid, and I’m not here to prosecute guilt or anything in between, but it’s not ideal for the two men involved.

“The victim of this incident – and there is no disputing that there is a victim, it’s just who caused the damage – he is legally blind as a result of this incident. Clearly, our thoughts are with the victim as well.

“The other element from a football perspective, I’m aware of at least one club that decided not to look at Steven May in the trade period because they believed that he was going to be charged in the months following the trade period.

“This was going around the AFL circle for quite some time, and both those men will appear in the Dromana Magistrates court on November 27th.

“Dion Prestia’s statement, which said not only that he didn’t do anything wrong, but that he wasn’t even physically there when this alleged altercation took place… it gives you and indication of how strongly he is denying it, and Richmond are backing him the whole way through.

“I’ve spoken to Steven’s manager this morning, I’ve spoken to Melbourne this morning, they haven’t been able to offer any public or private commentary around the next steps so it’s anyone’s best guess where it goes from November 27th.”

Tigers veteran Prestia denied any wrongdoing and plans to defend the charges.

“I have today been charged with the offense of recklessly causing serious injury as a result of an altercation that apparently took place on Boxing Day 2024 at Sorrento

“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.

“As I have now been charged, it would be inappropriate for me to say anything further."

The incident involving other men took place in the early hours after Boxing Day in December on Point Nepean Road in Sorrento.

Richmond Football Club released the following statement on Thursday morning:

Richmond can confirm that Victoria Police has charged Dion Prestia in relation to an incident in December 2024.

Dion strenuously denies any wrongdoing and will defend himself accordingly. As with any member of the community, he is entitled to the presumption of innocence.

The Club will continue to support him as the legal process takes its course. He will return to pre-season training next month.

As the matter is now before the courts, the Club will not be making any further comment.

Melbourne released this statement later on Thursday:

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.

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.