Former AFL star Nicky Winmar has avoided a jail sentence over a drunken assault on a cab driver in March.

Key points: The court heard Winmar was "significantly inebriated" when he tried to catch a cab after an AFL game

The court heard Winmar was "significantly inebriated" when he tried to catch a cab after an AFL game Winmar and his partner got into an argument with the driver after being asked to prepay their fare

Winmar and his partner got into an argument with the driver after being asked to prepay their fare His defence lawyer said media treatment of Winmar the last time he left court was a "disgrace"

Winmar was sentenced to a community corrections order, including 100 hours of community service, after pleading guilty to recklessly causing injury.

The Melbourne Magistrates' Court heard Winmar was "significantly inebriated" when he tried to catch a cab after the AFL match between St Kilda and Essendon at Docklands on March 30.

Winmar and his partner got into an argument with a cab driver after being asked to prepay their fare.

The court heard Winmar got out of the vehicle and was at its rear when he was confronted by the driver and they started to push each other.

Winmar hit the cab driver with multiple punches to the cheek and chin.

He also hit and kicked the man while he was on the ground before police intervened.

The driver was taken to hospital with a split lip and bruising to his cheek, chin and ribs.

Deputy chief magistrate Felicity Broughton condemned Winmar's behaviour and said he was "aggressive and agitated" when arrested.

She said he had had "too much to drink" and ordered him to carry out 30 hours of treatment for alcohol abuse, as well 70 hours of unpaid community work.

In her sentence, the magistrate referenced Winmar's football career, which she described as a "double-edged sword"; the negative being the significant amount of racism he was subjected to.

She also referenced the work he carried out helping disadvantaged youth.

Winmar's 'significant anxiety' to face media

Winmar is celebrated for his 1993 stand against racial vilification, when he responded to racist taunts from Collingwood fans by lifting up his guernsey and pointing at his skin.

In an AFL career spanning more than a decade, Winmar played 251 matches for St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs before retiring at the end of the 1999 season.

He was voted St Kilda's best and fairest player twice and was twice named in the All-Australian team.

Nicky Winmar's stand against racism during a match at Victoria Park is now famous. ( Supplied: Wayne Ludbey )

Defence lawyer Sam Norton asked the magistrate to consider the media scrutiny of Winmar, whom he described as a "reluctant celebrity", in making her decision.

He told the court the media treatment of Winmar the last time he left court was a "disgrace".

"It was a level of scrutiny and badgering that goes well beyond the ordinary," he said.

"There was a hounding and a surrounding of him, it was a daunting thing for him to have to confront."

Mr Norton told the court it had caused Winmar "significant anxiety" about having to face the media outside of court again.