St George Illawarra Dragons NRL player Talatau Junior Amone has been granted bail after allegedly assaulting a tradesman with a hammer on the roof of a Wollongong home last month.
Junior Amone appeared in Wollongong Local Court this morning via video link from Silverwater prison after he was arrested on Thursday over the alleged assault near his home in Warrawong.
The 20-year-old was charged with one count each of reckless grievous bodily harm in company, damaging property and intimidation.
He was granted strict conditional bail and ordered to pay a surety of $100,000 for his release.
Junior Amone was supported by his family members in the courtroom.
As part of his release conditions, he was ordered to report to the local police station three times a week and remain living at his home with his mother unless training or playing games with the Dragons.
Junior Amone's father, Talatau 'Dal' Amone, was arrested and charged over the same incident at the time of the alleged attack.
Police documents tendered to court revealed the alleged victim was one of two tradesmen working on the roof of a two-storey property across the road from the Amone's home.
The tradesmen claimed they saw Mr Amone taking photos of their car which was parked on the nature strip.
A short time later Mr Amone allegedly returned to the car and reached through the window and snapped off a part and discarded it on the road.
Police say Mr Amone then returned to the car a second time, accompanied by his son who was armed with a hammer, and another man.
The Dragons player and another man allegedly began jumping on the car roof before smashing the windscreen.
The three men then allegedly approached the house where the tradesmen were working and climbed the ladder onto the roof.
One of the victims told police he was pursued by Junior Amone who was armed with a hammer, before jumping onto a second roof.
Amone allegedly swung his hammer at the 39-year-old man who stepped back, lost his footing and fell from the roof grabbing a gutter, which gave way causing him to fall to the ground.
The NRL player allegedly shouted "Get the c***" to the other men.
The tradesman asked a neighbour to call police before collapsing due to his injuries.
Junior Amone joined St George Illawarra after playing his junior football in Western Sydney.
In a statement, the club said the NRL integrity unit has been notified about the charges.
"As this is a legal matter the club will be making no further comment," the statement said.
Police still searching for third man
Detectives have established Strike Force Chisholm to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and have released a CCTV image of a man who may be able to assist with inquiries.
He is described as Caucasian in appearance, about 175-180cm tall and of medium build.
He was wearing grey shorts with black and white trim and white and black shoes.
Anyone who recognises the male in the CCTV are urged to contact Lake Illawarra Police on 4232 5599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Junior Amone will next appear at court on January 18, 2023.
