The estranged wife of former Carlton president Luke Sayers prefers a jury to decide her defamation case stemming from the ‘dick pic’ incident. During a brief directions hearing at the Victorian Supreme Court on Friday, neither Luke nor Cate Sayers attended.
Court Hearing Outcomes
Leading barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC, representing Cate Sayers, informed Judicial Registrar Andrew Baker that her client favors a jury trial, though a box on the paperwork was overlooked. The court set deadlines for amendments to writs, trial mode decisions, and potential transfer to the Federal Court by mid-May. The trial is scheduled to begin on November 23 in the Victorian Supreme Court and last five to seven days unless relocated.
Background of the Dispute
Cate Sayers filed the lawsuit after a scandal involving an explicit photo posted on Luke Sayers’ X account at 7:40 a.m. on January 8, 2025. The image tagged Naomi Driver, a Bupa executive and Carlton sponsor. Although the AFL cleared Sayers, he resigned as club president on January 22, 2025, stating, ‘Leading the Carlton Football Club has been one of the great honours and privileges of my life.’
Court documents allege Sayers blamed Cate for the post in a statutory declaration submitted to the AFL Commission’s integrity unit. Cate claims this led to her being shunned by the AFL community. She further asserts that Sayers disclosed sensitive details about her sexual history and mental health to portray her as ‘unstable, untrustworthy, erratic, [and] mentally disturbed.’ Cate, founder of a not-for-profit offering fitness programs for people with Down syndrome, seeks damages for distress, hurt, and embarrassment, plus equitable compensation. She also requests a copy of the statutory declaration.
Sayers’ Defense Claims
Sayers filed his defense on Wednesday. He alleges Cate said, ‘let’s see how you get out of this one,’ the day after the post. Sayers claims the photo was taken for medical purposes, with Cate’s knowledge, and accuses her of accessing his phone to take emails, texts, and photos. He further states she stole a confidential draft statement to the AFL Integrity Unit.
Barrister Matt Collins KC, representing Sayers, described the case as involving ‘highly sensitive family matters.’ Sayers pursues a qualified privilege defense, maintaining he was showering in an Italy hotel bedroom when the post occurred, leaving his phone unattended. He notes his X account was managed by personal assistants and that Cate knew of his professional ties to the Bupa executive. Documentation supported his belief that Cate may have posted it, despite her denial, and he stands by the declaration’s accuracy.
The AFL investigation did not involve speaking to Cate about the allegations.
Recent Developments
Sayers shares four children with Cate, who learned of the photo through a close friend. He quickly deleted it, posting, ‘Sorry, my account has been hacked, please ignore all posts.’
Recently, Sayers appeared publicly with marketing manager Alexandra Elms, strolling hand-in-hand in a park near his East Melbourne apartment, accompanied by daughter Claudia and a family dog. His other daughter Bronte follows Elms on Instagram. Elms previously dated V8 Supercars driver James Courtney in 2019.
The case returns to court at a later date.
