Court told teenager recorded her alleged sexual abuse by AFL legend Carl Ditterich in a diary

Former AFL star Carl Ditterich has been forced to answer the question of a woman who accused him of sexually abusing her in the 1980s when she was a child in his care.

Ditterich, known as the “Blonde Bomber”, had an outstanding career as a player for the St Kilda and Melbourne Football Clubs in the VFL and later served as Melbourne's captain-coach for two years.

Ditterich, 78, who lives in Moama on the border between New South Wales and Victoria, appeared before the Melbourne District Court with his defence lawyer on Tuesday.

He is represented by senior Melbourne lawyer Ruth Shann, KC, who has defended leading figures such as Cardinal George Pell and notorious drug lord Tony Mokbel.

The former football star is accused of three counts of sexual assault and one count of gross indecency; all cases involve a single alleged victim who was under 16 at the time.

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

The court heard that 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.

The prosecution claimed that the fact that Ditterich allegedly acted in a position of power over the then child further underscored his moral culpability.

During his playing days, Ditterich was known as the “Blonde Bomber” because of his blonde hair and aggressive playing style.

“The prosecution cites aggravating circumstances and these are specified in the indictment, namely as a person who was under their care, supervision or authority,” a prosecutor told the court.

The court heard that Ditterich's alleged victim had kept a diary in which she described further instances of “sexual activity” with the former footballer.

This diary is a summary of the evidence expected to be presented to the court at the conclusion of the preliminary hearing.

The court heard that the alleged victim had made two statements to police, the second of which contained more information than the first.

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

It was to be expected that Ms Shan would examine the content of this second statement in detail during her cross-examination of the woman.

“Depending on what the plaintiff says about the incident, about which she suddenly remembers so much more, I can make the motion either now or at the time when I can ask what happened in the interim between the first and second statements,” she said.

The court heard that although the alleged victim would give evidence in a closed hearing, he would do so in front of Ditterich.

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

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

The alleged attack occurred when Ditterich was in his early 40s and had recently ended his AFL career.

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

“Investigators from the Bayside Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team have charged a man following an investigation into alleged previous sexual offences against children,” 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 is known for his dynamic debut at 17 and his robust style of play as a ruckman. His aggressive approach to the game often landed him in the VFL Tribunal, notably resulting in him missing St Kilda's championship win in 1966 due to suspension.

During his career, Ditterich moved to numerous clubs, including a notable transfer to Melbourne under the 10-year rule and a return to St. Kilda, before ending his playing career with a coaching stint in Melbourne.

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

“He possessed that rare and indefinable quality – presence – and whenever he was on the field, the rest of the team marched with swagger. Ditterich was a natural, combining the size of a ruckman with the pace and agility of a ruck-rover.”

The hearing will continue.