AFL stars Dion Prestia and Steven May among those charged over Boxing Day brawl at Sorrento

Two men were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after the alleged confrontation, which began outside the Continental Hotel on December 26.

The Herald Sun first revealed in December that star footballers May and Prestia had been caught up in the late-night fracas at the popular Peninsula pub.

Football sources confirmed to the Herald Sun that the AFL duo was among a group which had been caught up in friction, believed to be sparked by another party harassing their group about 2am.

However, at the time a spokeswoman for Richmond said Prestia was “in no way” involved.

“Prestia saw it happening but in no way was he involved. They weren’t involved in any physical altercation,” they said.

Melbourne Football Club, who May plays for, declined to comment at the time.

Richmond Football Club in a statement on Thursday confirmed that Victoria Police had charged Prestia in relation to an incident in December 2024.

“Dion strenuously denies any wrongdoing and will defend himself accordingly,” the statement said.

“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.”

Prestia also issued a statement on Thursday which said: “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.

“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.”

But his claim that “I was not even physically present” appears to contradict Richmond’s statement from December that “Prestia saw it happening”.

The Melbourne Football Club also released a statement on Thursday afternoon supporting May.

The club said May was intent on challenging the charges.

“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,” it 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.”

Detectives interviewed three men in May as part of their investigation.

A 26-year-old Blairgowrie man has been charged on summons with affray and will appear before the Dromana Magistrates’ Court on 20 October.

Prestia, 33, has been charged on summons with recklessly cause serious injury, intentionally cause injury, recklessly cause injury and affray.

May, 33, has been charged on summons with affray.

Gun on-baller Prestia played in the flags of Richmond’s triple premiership-winning era between 2017 and 2020.

May is also a premiership player at the Demons.

AFL Spokesperson Jay Allen said: “The AFL is aware of the Victoria Police charges laid today and will continue to closely monitor the ongoing legal proceedings.”

It is understood it is common procedure for the league’s integrity unit to look into any incidents involving players and police.

They will both appear before the Dromana Magistrates’ Court on 27 November.

Originally published as AFL stars Dion Prestia and Steven May among those charged over Boxing Day brawl at Sorrento