Collingwood midfielder Brodie Holland has been fined $2,500 but escaped conviction in a Melbourne court for settling a late-night dispute over a taxi with his fist.

The Melbourne Magistrates Court was told the dispute started when Holland, his fiancee model Sarita Stella and a friend, Brooke Hawken, attempted to catch a taxi after a karaoke night in central Melbourne in December 2005.

Hawken, 23, opened the back door of the taxi but it bumped another woman, the victim, who also was trying to get into the front of the car.

The victim returned the bump, insults were traded and both Stella and Hawken began scuffling with the woman.

After some time Holland stepped into the brawl saying to the victim: "What the f**k are you doing, you stupid sl**?"

When the victim escaped his grasp he put her in a headlock, but she then bit him on the stomach.

The AFL footballer responded with a punch to the woman's head which, according to one witness, left her with her eyes rolling back into her head, the court heard.

Holland pleaded guilty to one count of recklessly causing injury over his actions which his lawyer Terry Forrest QC said was an over-reaction to the situation which the footballer now regretted.

"Mr Holland should have walked away; he knows that." Mr Forrest told the court.

"He didn't. He acted out of frustration and anger and he punched her."

In mitigation, the court was told of Holland's impressive record of community service, including his work with Melbourne's homeless which he had done on his own initiative and not as a result of his football contract.

Holland, 27, who also has been a contestant on TV's Dancing With The Stars, was fined $2,500 but no conviction was recorded by magistrate Duncan Reynolds.

His fiance Sarita Stella, 24, and Brooke Hawken have indicated they will plead guilty to a charge of assault in company and their case will be heard in May.

Holland's Collingwood teammate Scott Burns said the Magpies would rally behind the midfielder, who is also suspended for the first six games of the 2007 season.

"Dutchy's one of the most loyal blokes at the club and one of the most trustworthy and honest guys, so we all rally behind him," Burns said.

"We've known first-hand what has taken place for quite a while now, but we're not allowed to comment and there's no need to, and you'd hope justice takes its course."
http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Magpies-Holland-fined-over-taxi-fracas/2007/03/26/1174761348517.html