Former Fremantle Dockers, Essendon Bombers midfielder Ryan Crowley accused of violent attack on MAFS ex girlfriend
Crowley, 41, allegedly strangled Dunn, 34, and smothered her face with a pillow to the point she lost consciousness when he became enraged about email conversations between her and another man.
The Perth Magistrates Court was told the pair got into a verbal argument shortly after she had invited him over to her Claremont apartment about 8pm on Tuesday, before it escalated into violence.
After their verbal spat, Dunn asked Crowley to leave and even phoned triple-0 when he refused, the court was told.
It is alleged she chose to tell the operator the call was a mistake and ended it because she frightened.
The court was told Crowley then snatched Dunn's phone and searched her laptop for proof that she had cheated on him, and assaulted her when he came across messages from another man.
Crowley allegedly threw the victim to the floor, with her head slamming on the ground.
While she was on the floor, it is alleged Crowley strangled the PR-guru, grabbing her around the neck and using his hand to cover her mouth and nose.
The pair struggled and Dunn lost consciousness for some time, before the accused let go, the court was told.
It is alleged that when Dunn, who was in an on-again, off-again relationship with Crowley between 2018 and 2023, cried out for help she was assaulted again.
It is alleged Crowley violently shook her, slamming her head on the ground multiple times.
The next thing she remembers is Crowley lying on her couch and asking her to come cuddle him, the court was told.
When she told him to leave, he allegedly said no and instead got into bed beside her. She could not call for help because Crowley had her phone and laptop.
The next morning Crowley allegedly stopped her from leaving her home through the front door, grabbing her shirt and scratching her stomach, leaving her bleeding and with swelling.
When she tried to stop him going through her laptop, he allegedly grabbed her by the neck and squeezed before covering her face with a pillow and pushing down hard.
The court was told she again lost consciousness before Crowley got off her.
Dunn broke down in tears, terrified, and begging for her phone, the court was told, before she able to run to a nearby cafe and call for help.
The former footballer was later arrested at Perth Train Station and charged with nine domestic violence-related charges.
The prosecution says this incident is serious and Crowley could be facing substantial prison time if found guilty.
He is expected to fight the allegations.
Crowley was granted bail with a $20,000 surety during his appearance in court on Thursday.
He must not leave WA and must not contact Dunn.
His will next appear in court on July 24.
Crowley played 196 AFL games, with 188 of those with Fremantle and a further eight for Essendon where he was a top-up player following the supplements saga.
He claimed Fremantle's Doig Medal in 2012 as the club's best and fairest player, and played in Fremantle's grand final loss to Hawthorn the following season.
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