NSW Police have decided to continue with assault charges against Manly Sea Eagles player Dylan Walker despite his partner withdrawing the allegations she initially made to authorities.
Walker, 24, was back at Manly Local Court on Tuesday morning flanked by his lawyer Ramy Qutani and manager Wayne Beavis. His partner and mother of their six-month old son, Alexandra Ivkovic, did not attend.
Police prosecutors said they had three witnesses following an alleged assault by Walker against Ivkovic outside their northern beaches apartment on December 6. Several neighbours are believed to have witnessed the altercation, which left Ivkovic with minor scratches to her leg and shoulder.
At an earlier hearing on December 11 in Manly court, Qutani said Ivkovic wanted to retract her statement.
On Tuesday magistrate Chris Longley set February 8 as the next court date, but due to the fact one of the witnesses will be overseas, a second date of February 26 was agreed.
Qutani then formally entered a plea of not guilty for Walker. Bail was continued as was an apprehended violence order (AVO) on behalf of Ivkovic.
The order does not rule out the couple still living together, but states Walker can't harass, intimidate, verbally or physically threaten Ivkovic.
Walker is a former Test and NSW Origin player, and is off contract with the Sea Eagles at the end of 2019.
It is not known at this stage when Walker can return to Sea Eagles pre-season training. He was granted leave until the Christmas break, which starts this weekend.