Man admits to fatal one-punch attack on footballer Patrick Cronin

The man accused of punching a promising young footballer who was trying to steer his friend away from a fight has changed his plea to guilty.

Andrew William Lee, 34, today changed his plea during his trial in the Supreme Court of Victoria for the manslaughter of 19-year-old Patrick Cronin, who was fatally punched in a fight outside The Windy Mile hotel in Diamond Creek on April 16 last year.

The court earlier heard Cronin was punched in the temple, fracturing his skill after intervening in the fight.

He later left the pub with friends, but his condition deteriorated within hours.

His family made the decision to turn off his life support on April 19 last year, and subsequently donated his organs.

"There's plenty of things I'd like to say, but can't just yet," Patrick's father, Matt Cronin, told reporters outside court.

"The reason we're all here, all these supporters, we're all here for Pat.

Prosecutor Brendan Kissane QC said Cronin was “in no way aggressively involved” in the all-in brawl, which took place after a football match he had participated in for Lower Plenty Football Club alongside his brother.

The youngster and his mates had pizza and drinks that evening before heading to the pub, where the fight broke out about 11pm.

CCTV footage of the incident was played in court, showing a mass of people involved in the scuffle.

It also shows the long-haired Mr Cronin sitting with friends after the incident, appearing alert but touching the side of his head at times.

Lee had maintained his innocence since the attack, but changed his plea after two days on trial.

The jury in the trial has been discharged and Lee will remain on bail until a plea hearing before Justice Lex Lasry on October 3.