Ex-footy player learns his fate after being busted in lewd moment with a naked woman at famous Melbourne tourist attraction

A former Collingwood, Richmond and Western Bulldogs star has been fined $1,000 after he was caught in a compromising position in his underwear, alongside a naked woman behind a set of beach boxes on the Mornington Peninsula.

Aaron James, aged 48, pleaded guilty to behaving indecently in public during a visit to Dromana on March 8, 2025.

Mr James, who made 54 appearances in the AFL between 1994 and 2002, appeared in Frankston Magistrates Court via a link from remand to answer the charge.

The court heard that officers had found the 48-year-old behind the beach cabins wearing just his underwear.

Members of the public had alerted the cops to the incident after they spotted him with a naked woman. The court heard a summary of the events recorded by the police, in which officers stated Mr James was seen applying a liquid from a green bottle onto the naked woman.

The woman had been kneeling on all fours on the sand, the court heard. 

In another part of the summary, which was read in court, police say Mr James was seen thrusting his hips at the woman. The court was told that his penis was also said to have been exposed.

Mr James was drafted to play for Collingwood in the 1993 AFL draft as pick No 35.

The footy star was a mere 17 years old when he made his debut in 1994 during a game against Hawthorn.

He’d make 23 appearances for the Magpies, becoming a regular face in the team in 1995, before struggling for game time the following season. He’d leave the club in 1997 and joined up with Richmond, making 30 appearances across four seasons.

Injuries again plagued his time at Punt Road, with the footy star going on to nominate himself for the 2001 AFL Draft where he was snapped up by the Western Bulldogs, but only made one appearance for the club. 

It would turn out to be his final AFL appearance. 

He would go on to play local footy for Gisborne, Lalor and Albion in later years - where he kicked over 100 goals in one season.

Magistrate David Starvaggi had also looked to finalise several other charges Mr James was facing during the hearing.

Some had included alleged offences committed between November 2024 and May 2025, which had related to drugs and driving.

But the Magistrate had believed the video link would expire before the matters could be addressed and chose to adjourn the matters until a hearing next week.

Mr James has been charged with the possession methyl amphetamine as well as theft. He is also facing charges in relation to driving offences.

Mr James was arrested in May following a statewide manhunt after he had failed to show up in court.