The fiancee of NRL star Dylan Walker says she told police he'd pulled her ponytail and she'd fallen because that's what she "believed to be the truth at the time" but then calmed down and "realised that wasn't the case".
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Alexandra Ivkovic testified at Walker's hearing in Manly Local Court on Tuesday.
She started her evidence as a police witness but the prosecution successfully applied to cross-examine her midway through.
The 24-year-old Sea Eagles player has pleaded not guilty to domestic violence-related assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and the backup charge of common assault, after Ms Ivkovic suffered grazes to her shoulder, leg and feet.
The alleged attack occurred outside their Dee Why home on Sydney's northern beaches between 4.45pm and 5pm on December 6, according to court documents.
Police have taken out an apprehended violence order on behalf of Ms Ivkovic, a former Miss Universe Australia finalist.
The court was on Tuesday played a recording of Ms Ivkovic's triple-zero call to police. In it, she tells the operator "he pulled my hair and I fell down".
Ms Ivkovic is heard saying she doesn't want to be alone with Walker and that "he's scaring me" but is reassured police are on their way.
"You told the operator on ... separate occasions what Dylan had done to you?" police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Craig Pullen asked on Tuesday.
Ms Ivkovic replied: "Yes, that's what I believed at the time."
She told the court her recollection was different now and Walker "didn't grab my hair".
Ms Ivkovic said he'd reached out to grab her shoulder and her hair got in the way.
"I legitimately believed he had pulled my hair which is why I was in so much shock and I was upset," she said.
Ms Ivkovic said "regardless of what happens" in court they are "moving forward as a couple".
"I'm here today to tell you the truth," she said.
The 24-year-old woman dismissed the prosecutor's suggestion she was lying to the court.
She said she made attempts to retract her police statement in the days after the incident but "nobody" would respond.
Neighbour Lauren O'Sullivan earlier testified she saw Ms Ivkovic leave the house across the road cradling a baby.
"She was barefoot, she didn't have a bag or anything. She was just sort of slowly wandering up the road."
She said a man quickly caught up with Ms Ivkovic, who had her back turned.
"I saw him yank her ponytail very hard and I saw her fall to the ground."
When Ms O'Sullivan went to Ms Ivkovic's aid, Walker allegedly told her to stay away and mind her own business.
Walker and Ms Ivkovic say they started arguing while he was playing a PlayStation game, according to body-worn police footage aired in court.
The hearing before magistrate Michelle Goodwin continues.
Australian Associated Press