AFL players set to be charged over Sorrento brawl that left man with permanent eye damage

The Age

05-05-2025

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.
'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.
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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.