Footy death accused released on strict bail

Jessica Benton
A MAN charged with the manslaughter of an East Geelong footballer allegedly punched the victim while he was in a dispute about his wife, a Geelong court has heard.
A witness report to Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday said 29-year-old Daniel Singleton, of Highton, punched teammate Nathan Alsop, 37, once to the side of the head, causing the victim to fall on the club’s grass oval.
Magistrate Stephen Myall granted Mr Singleton bail with strict conditions including that he report to police each Monday, live with his parents and not discuss the charge or legal proceedings with prosecution witnesses.
Mr Myall said he granted bail on the evidence before the court and because Mr Singleton had no prior offences and did not hold a passport.
The court was told the two men and club member Gerard Henderson were talking on the club oval about 11.45pm on Saturday night during premiership celebrations.
A witness statement said the conversation did not seem to be “aggressive”.
The court heard Mr Alsop questioned Mr Singleton about taking Mr Alsop’s wife to a football match the weekend before. Mr Singleton replied that Mr Alsop’s wife already had the match tickets.
The court heard Mr Singleton then punched the right side of Mr Alsop’s head with a “clenched fist”.
Mr Alsop fell backward onto the oval.
The defendant then turned away and walked back into the clubrooms, the court heard.
Mr Alsop never regained consciousness despite resuscitation attempts.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police arrested Mr Singleton, holding him in custody until Wednesday’s bail hearing.
He is set to appear in court on December 11 for a committal hearing in Geelong.
Mr Alsop’s older brother, Stephen, and wife, Tara, addreessed a media conference on Monday.
“In one moment of stupidity a wife lost her husband, two beautiful young children lost their father, a mother lost her son, we lost a brother, a nephew lost his uncle and many more people lost a friend,” Stephen Alsop said.
“Nathan was a good person, who loved his wife and was completely devoted to his children.”
Mr Alsop said his family was not upset about East Geelong Football Club members contining to celebrate their grand final victory after the tragedy.
“From what I saw, they weren’t celebrating,” he said.
Ms Alsop spoke about her former husband’s dedication to his family.
“He was just an amazing, amazing husband and an amazing, completely devoted father,” she told the conference.