Former AFL player and House of Darwin founder Shaun Edwards faced Darwin Local Court on Friday charged with aggravated assault and choking, strangling or suffocating.
The Larrakia man was charged earlier this month following an alleged domestic violence incident in May last year.
A temporary domestic violence order has been in place since June.
The ABC reported Mr Edwards intends to plead not guilty and contest the order. He did not appear in court, but his lawyer, Vanessa Farmer, said he was available if required.
The court heard the domestic violence order application is directly linked to the assault allegations. NT Police and the alleged victim sought to have the order heard alongside the criminal proceedings.
Judge Therese Austin ruled the matters would be heard together, describing separate hearings as "highly prejudicial" and not in the interests of justice because witnesses would be required to give evidence twice on the same issues, according to the ABC.
House of Darwin is known for its brightly coloured streetwear and operates a charitable foundation supporting sports and community programs in remote Aboriginal communities.
Mr Edwards and House of Darwin have not publicly commented on the charges.
The matter will return to court on May 18. Mr Edwards is not required to attend in person.
