Police say a man was kicked in the head and bashed with a stick while one of his two friends was punched during the attack at Birrarung Marr early on Sunday morning.
The group of attackers then fled with the trio's mobile phones, while the victim was hospitalised with serious injuries.
Police on Tuesday charged a 17-year-old Sydenham boy with intentionally causing serious injury, robbery and theft.
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He faced a children's court hearing on Thursday and was remanded in custody to reappear on Tuesday.
A 17-year-old Sydenham boy and 16-year-old St Albans boy have also been charged, police said.
