Police will allege Joseph Vervoort, 22, was high on drugs and alcohol when he and his partner's ex-boyfriend, Jarred Woods, came to blows outside the Virginia Street complex after Woods turned up at the woman's property unannounced.

Woods was stabbed with a kitchen knife during the melee, police said.

He was later taken to hospital and underwent emergency surgery overnight. Woods was expected to have further surgery on Monday.

Meanwhile, Vervoort faced Wollongong Local Court charged with recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm in company.

In documents tendered to the court, police said Vervoort had downed LSD, MDMA and alcohol when he and Woods got into a confrontation at the front of the unit block, resulting in Woods receiving a deep stab wound to the lower right side of his abdomen.

Woods left the location and phoned a friend, Gus Muehlbauer. It is alleged Muehlbauer drove to the location armed with a metal pole and the wooden leg from a stool.

It is alleged both men used the weapons to smash up Vervoort's car and break his windows.

Police located Woods and Muehlbauer a short time later and Woods was taken to hospital.

Officers attended the North Wollongong apartment block and directed Vervoort to come outside. He allegedly tried to flee but was quickly apprehended.

Vervoort applied for bail in court on Monday but it was refused, with Magistrate Jillian Kiely saying the offence was serious, the case against Vervoort was strong and he faced a custodial sentence if convicted.

The case was adjourned to March 11.

Meanwhile, police have also charged Muehlbauer with property damage. He will face court at a later date.