Former NRL player-turned influencer spared jail over violent pub bathroom assault
A night out celebrating his twin daughters’ footy season ended badly for former NRL player-turned influencer David Drotini, who faced court over a violent bathroom assault at a Fortitude Valley pub.
The 35-year-old ex-Gold Coast Titans player admitted to punching a stranger at the Royal George Hotel in September last year, leaving him with three facial fractures and a concussion.
Brisbane Magistrates Court heard Drotini had been out with other dads when a comment about his mullet — since chopped — and a request for drugs in the hotel’s crowded bathroom left him “agitated”.
“People are referring to his mullet, calling him names, asking him for drugs,” defence lawyer Nicholas Schoenmaker said. “...Whilst he was leaving the toilets he was bumped and, without properly assessing the situation, he has turned around and struck the complainant.”
Magistrate John Costanzo called that “barely an explanation” and said Drotini was “unable to cope with banter” and “turned to violence too easily”. The court heard the victim’s PTSD had been triggered, with surgery needed for his injuries.
“The fact that you had drinks does not excuse your behaviour and barely provides an explanation for it,” Costanzo said.
“If this is how you react to circumstances like these and when you drink, then you are a danger to the community; you are a risk to public safety.”
The magistrate allowed Drotini to serve his sentence in the community under an intensive corrections order, cautioning that he must “reform or go to jail”.
“It’s you that is putting your family at risk,” Costanzo told Drotini.
“It’s you that’s putting their ability to rely on you for income and support at risk - no one else.”
Supported in court by fiancée and Instagram influencer Brooke Iseppi, Drotini pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison, to be served in the community under an intensive corrections order.
Jonathan Jackson, 12th August 2025
