Former AFL star given prison time for assaults

FORMER AFL star Shannon Grant must fight for his freedom after being jailed for jealously assaulting his girlfriend a number of times as he struggled with alcohol issues.

Grant, 41 (pictured), pleaded guilty yesterday to several assaults on the woman, including stomping on her bare foot after she got out of a bath at a Victorian resort.

He was jailed for six months by a Melbourne magistrate but spent only two hours in custody as he immediately appealed against the sentence and was released on bail.

The North Melbourne premiership midfielder admitted assaulting the woman at his Highett home, at a suburban beach and at a Yarra Valley resort in 2017.

During the incident at Balgownie Estate, Grant also knocked the woman to the ground and fell on her, causing her to hit her head and elbow.

Grant played 301 AFL games, including 243 for North Melbourne.