Former NRL player pleads guilty to “disgusting” offence at The Illawarra Hotel
A former rugby league player who spat at a woman in a Wollongong pub told the Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday that he wishes he could “turn back time”.
Ex-Illawarra Dragons player Talatau “Junior” Amone pleaded guilty to common assault, which occurred in the pokies room at The Illawarra Hotel on Keira St, Wollongong in August 2024.
Magistrate Michael Love described the behaviour as “disgusting and appalling”.
Amone was sentenced to a two-year community corrections order and 150 hours of community service and must abstain from alcohol for two years.
A two-year apprehended violence order is also in place to protect the victim of the assault.
“You’ve taken responsibility for your appalling actions,” Love said.
“But, you need to set a much better example in the community because you have a high profile and people watch what you do … it is rather tragic that young people you mentor could be made aware of your actions on this particular night.”
Amone introduced a letter of apology to the court.
“I wish I could turn back time to that night and not behave in this way … there is no excuse for my actions,” Love read to the court, citing Amone’s letter.
Defence lawyer Elias Tabchouri told NewsWire he was “proud” of how far his client’s turnaround.
“The court has indicated that Mr Amone has taken exceptional steps to rehabilitate himself since this offence took place, including not drinking alcohol and continuing to see his psychologist,” Tabchouri said.
“As his lawyer, I am proud of the steps he has taken and that Mr Amone has shown a commitment to making himself a better person.”
The court was shown CCTV footage of the offence, which shows Amone sitting at a poker machine inside the popular Wollongong pub. He is approached by the victim before a “mutual argument” begins.
Defence barrister Angela Cook said the offence was an “impulsive reaction” to “insulting words”. However, the prosecution argued the action was deliberate.
Amone and the victim had been involved in a “short-lived” intimate relationship prior to the attack.
Amone was already serving an intensive corrections order after being found guilty of a hammer attack on a tradie in November 2022.
He was deregistered by the NRL in late 2023, costing him a $500,000 a year contract.
Jonathan Jackson, 27th February 2025
