Sam Newman’s son suing Aussie basketballer Jock Landale over alleged high school assault

The son of AFL personality Sam Newman is taking legal action against his old school and Australian NBA star Jock Landale over an alleged assault when they were at high school together a decade ago.

Max Jones, 25, is taking legal action against Geelong Grammar for negilence and “failing to institute a culture at the school th­at ­prevented the abuse of students by fellow students”.

He alleges Landale forced him to the ground and attacked him on February 7, 2013.

The Herald Sun reports Landale is alleged to have repeatedly jumped on Mr Jones’ lower stomach to the beat of a song played through a portable speaker in a school common room.

Mr Jones — the son of Newman and Leonie Jones — was in year 10 at the time of the alleged assault, while Landale was in year 12.

He alleges he was forced to undergo a discectomy to remove damaged discs in his spine a week later.

Mr Jones is suing both Landale and Geelong Grammar for loss of past and future earning as well as medical expenses.

Landale is one of 10 Australians currently playing in the NBA and was part of the Boomers team that won a droughtbreaking bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

The 27-year-old played in the NBL for Melbourne United before attracting NBA interest which ultimately led to him joining the San Antonio Spurs in 2021.

The 211cm centre currently plays for the Phoenix Suns alongside the likes of Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant — earning $A2.3 million per season.

Landale is engaged to India Maddern, the niece of Channel 7 presenter Rebecca Maddern — who previously hosted the AFL Footy Show on Channel 9 alongside Sam Newman.

He alleges that “the incident constituted a battery at common law for which the ­second defendant (Landale) is directly liable”.

Legal firm Arnold Thomas and Becker is acting on behalf of Mr Jones, who alleges “the incident constituted a battery at common law for which the ­second defendant (Landale) is directly liable”.

“As a result of the incident and the injuries caused by the incident, the plaintiff’s ability to concentrate and study was prejudiced,” the legal writ, obtained by the Herald Sun, states.

Geelong Grammar has denied the claims, stating the common room was supervised at all times and Mr Jones did not report the assault when it allegedly took place.

Landale has denied the assault and all other allegations made against him.

Lawyers for Geelong Grammar, Landale and Mr Jones have all declined to comment further while the matter is before the courts.