Teenage girl kept graphic diary notes of her alleged sexual abuse by AFL legend Carl Ditterich, court told

Former AFL star Carl Ditterich was forced to confront a woman who accuses him of sexually abusing her in the 1980s when she was a child in his care.

Ditterich, better known as the Blonde Bomber, had a successful playing career for the VFL football clubs St Kilda and Melbourne and was later captain-coach of Melbourne for two years.

Ditterich, 78, who lives in Moama on the New South Wales-Victoria border, appeared in court in Melbourne on Tuesday with his defence team.

He is represented by Ruth Shann, Kansas City, a prominent Melbourne politician who has defended prominent figures including Cardinal George Pell and notorious drug baron Tony Mokbel.

The former football legend is charged with three counts of sexual assault and one count of gross sexual assault, all involving one alleged victim who was under the age of 16 at the time.

The alleged victim, whose name cannot be released for legal reasons, was the first witness to take the stand.

The court heard Ditterich is accused of touching the young girl’s breast while she was in his care on August 27, 1985 in Moorabbin, the suburb where Ditterich became a football star.

Prosecutors argued that the fact that Ditterich allegedly held a position of power over the then-child reinforced his moral culpability.

Ditterich was known as the ‘Blonde Bomber’ during his active period because of his blond hair and aggressive playing style

“The Public Prosecution Service relies on aggravating circumstances and that is specified in the indictment as a person who was under his care, supervision or authority,” a prosecutor told the court.

The court heard that Ditterich’s alleged victim had kept a diary, which detailed other instances of ‘sexual activity’ with the former footballer.

That diary will constitute evidence expected to be presented to the court at the end of the preliminary hearing.

The court heard the alleged victim had made two statements to police, with the second containing more information than the first.

“Your Honour will note that in relation to the second statement there is a significant change in recollection,” Ms Shan told the court.

It was expected that Ms Shan would thoroughly examine the contents of that second statement during her cross-examination of the woman.

“Depending on what the complainant says about the procedure, which suddenly makes her remember so much more, I may make the application (to address that issue) now or at a time when I can ask what happened in the intervening period between the first and second statement,” she said.

The court took into account that the alleged victim would give her testimony behind closed doors, but that she would do so in full view of Ditterich.

Alleged victims of sexual crimes often appear via video link or give their evidence behind a screen, so they do not have to look at their alleged attacker.

“A screen is not required. Not requested,” the prosecutor said.

The alleged assault occurred when Ditterich was in his early 40s and shortly after he ended his AFL career.

The charges were filed by the Bayside Sexual Offences and Child-abuse Investigation Team.

“Detectives from the Bayside Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team have charged a man following an investigation into alleged historical child sex crimes,” a police statement said at the time.

Ditterich [pictured right] was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in Melbourne in 2004

The alleged incident occurred after Ditterich’s playing career for St Kilda and Melbourne ended

Ditterich was known for his dynamic debut at 17 and his robust style of play as a ruckman. His aggressive approach to the game often led to him appearing before the VFL Tribunal, resulting in him missing St Kilda’s 1966 Premier League triumph through suspension.

During his career Ditterich made significant transfers between clubs, including a high-profile move to Melbourne under the ’10-year rule’ and a return to St Kilda, before ending his active career with a stint as a coach at Melbourne.

“He was an exciting and controversial footballer from start to finish and made a major contribution to the club’s history,” Ditterich’s profile in the St Kilda Hall of Fame reads.

‘He had that rare and indefinable quality – presence – and when he was on the field the rest of the team walked upright. Ditterich was a natural athlete and combined the height of a ruckman with the pace and agility of a ruckrover.’

The hearing continues.