West Coast Eagles rookie-listed player Tony Olango has been charged with aggravated assault and unlawfully causing serious harm after an alleged incident in his home town of Darwin last year, the ABC can reveal.
The revelation of the assault charge comes at a tumultuous time for the club after player Andrew Gaff was suspended for eight weeks for striking Fremantle's Andrew Brayshaw in the mouth in a match on Sunday.
Police are alleging Olango, 19, threatened someone with a drink container, who reportedly could not defend himself, before the alleged assault occurred on November 25 last year.
Olango was drafted by the Eagles a day after the alleged incident.
The ABC understands Olango has not appeared at any of the three court hearings for his case.
Olango's case was listed for a preliminary examination application hearing in Darwin on Wednesday, but was not required to appear in court.
Darwin lawyer Georgia McMaster appeared on his behalf.
She requested an adjournment and said that she would like to discuss the matter further with Olango and his Darwin-based parents.
Olango will appear via video link in Darwin Local Court in early September.
The West Coast Eagles released a statement saying the club was aware of the charges and had known about the incident involving Olango since the rookie draft process.
The statement said the club would support the teenager through the legal process but would not comment further until the legal action had concluded.
The AFL was also made aware of the alleged incident.
The Sudanese-born ruckman, who stands at 201cm, had been one of the stories of the 2017 rookie draft.
He only began playing football in earnest when he was in his mid-teens, eventually going on to represent the Northern Territory Thunder in the NEAFL.
