- Former West Coast and Collingwood boss was hurt in incident
Premiership-winning former AFL coach Mick Malthouse has bravely fought off three armed men who tried to break into his Melbourne home in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The 72-year-old former West Coast and Collingwood boss revealed he was injured as he chased the burglars down a stairwell and into a laneway near his apartment building in the city’s east.
Malthouse said he used a piece of weightlifting equipment to fight the trio, who were armed with a crowbar and screwdriver.
‘There were three blokes on the other side [of his door] with a bit of weaponry,’ Malthouse told News Corp.
‘I was able to get through and force them down the stairs with a little bit of interest on the way down.
‘There was a fair bit of action. One tried to stab me [with a screwdriver] and only partially succeeded.
Former Collingwood and West Coast coach Mick Malthouse (pictured) was left with injuries to his chest after fighting off three armed men who tried to break into his flat
The record-breaking premiership winner said he was able to force the burglars down a flight of stairs ‘with a bit of interest’ during the fight
Malthouse said the trio were armed with a crowbar and a screwdriver (stock image)
‘He tried to stab me in the chest, so I’ve got a mark on my chest and they whacked my arm a couple of times.’
Police found Malthouse with minor injuries when they attended the scene.
‘Officers were called to the property following reports of a group of men trying to gain access about 12.30am,’ Victoria Police said in a statement.
‘A resident of the property chased the offenders to a nearby laneway where he was assaulted.
‘The offenders fled on foot.’
The police investigation is ongoing.
Malthouse is regarded as one of the game’s best coaches after he took the Eagles to their first premierships in 1992 and 1994, then guided Collingwood to victory in the 2010 grand final.
His mark of 718 AFL games coached remains a record, and he played a total of 174 games for St Kilda and Richmond from 1972 to 1983, winning the flag in 1980 with the Tigers.
Earlier this year, Carlton coach Michael Voss was hailed a hero when he tackled an alleged armed car thief while on a coffee run in the east Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn.
Two teenagers allegedly crashed a Mercedes they’d stolen and Voss grabbed one of the pair when they tried to flee into a block of flats.
‘It was a bit of action… I was hoping to be on a couple of days’ break but it’s all good here,’ Voss said afterwards.
‘I have spoken to the police but everyone is safe and healthy and that is all that matters.’
