- Was sentenced at a Sydney court on Friday
Melbourne Storm forward Shawn Blore, 25, avoided an assault conviction after intervening in a restaurant fight in Sydney in July 2024.
He pleaded guilty to common assault following a scuffle involving his brother, Dean, and another man, Naaman Mikhael, who had been removed from the venue for aggressive behaviour.
The altercation began when Mikhael allegedly directed comments at Dean’s partner, sparking a confrontation outside the restaurant.
CCTV footage showed multiple skirmishes among different groups during the incident.
Both Shawn and Dean were initially charged with affray but later pleaded guilty to the lesser charge.
Magistrate Christine Haskett spared them convictions, placing each on a six-month good behaviour bond.
Melbourne Storm forward Shawn Blore has avoided a conviction for his role in a restaurant fight
It has been a difficult year for Blore, who missed the NRL Grand Final because of a fractured larynx
Mikhael’s own affray charge was dismissed in December on mental health grounds after the court ruled he did not initiate the violence.
The Melbourne Storm released a statement in the wake of the sentencing.
‘The Club notified the NRL Integrity Unit at the time of the incident, and Blore fully cooperated with NSW Police throughout their investigation,’ it read.
‘Blore and Storm are grateful for the way the Court dealt with this matter and accept the sentence.
‘Blore is genuinely remorseful for his involvement in this incident.
‘Melbourne Storm will not be making any further comment on this matter.’
Shawn Blore debuted in the NRL with the Wests Tigers before securing a move to the Melbourne Storm, where he solidified his reputation as a powerful edge forward.
He played a key role in the Storm’s run to the 2024 Grand Final, bringing physical presence and defensive work rate.
The 2025 season presented serious hurdles when Blore suffered a fractured larynx in Round 26, a rare and potentially season-ending injury.
Despite intensive recovery efforts, the neck injury forced him out of action in the lead-up to the Grand Final.
As a result, he missed the decider, which the Storm lost 26-22 to the Brisbane Broncos.
