Prosecutors have dropped all charges against former and current AFL players Dion Prestia and Steven May over an alleged brawl in Sorrento on Boxing Day 2024. The pair appeared via video link in Frankston Magistrates' Court on Friday morning, where Magistrate Tony Burns told them, 'You are free to leave.'
Prestia, a three-time premiership player with Richmond, was charged with recklessly causing serious injury and affray. May, who retired from the Melbourne Demons just before the 2025 season, faced a charge of affray. The charges stemmed from a streetside altercation with another group that left two men in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
In March, prosecutor Alex Turner noted there was no footage of the incident and the case relied on testimony from 'two competing groups.' Defence lawyer Tony Hargreaves argued that some witnesses stated the players were not involved. At Friday's hearing, Hargreaves applied for legal costs, which Magistrate Burns granted, saying, 'I've ordered costs in your favour.' The final cost amount will be determined later.
