Footy icon Mick Malthouse attacked with crowbar, screwdriver in Melbourne home invasion
Triple premiership-winning AFL coach Mick Malthouse has told how he was attacked with a crowbar and a screwdriver as he fought off three intruders who broke into his East Melbourne home.
The former Collingwood coach, 72, said he was trying to protect his wife during the incident that left him with minor injuries.
It began when a group of males banged on the door of his home then broke in about 12.30am today.
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The former Collingwood coach, 72, was at his home when two alleged armed men broke in about 12.30am today. Getty images
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Malthouse allegedly then chased the offenders into a nearby laneway, where he was assaulted with a crowbar and what he believed to be a screwdriver.
Malthouse sustained minor injuries but refused medical treatment at the scene.
Speaking to media outside his home, Malthouse said he had been suffering from shingles for the past seven weeks but "adrenaline kicked in" when he heard the home invaders.
Jolimont Lane in East Melbourne where Mick Malthouse fought off home burglars. Eddie Jim
"I don't sleep, cause [the shingles] kept me awake," Malthouse explained.
The AFL great said he used an instrument from his days of football training sitting next to his bed to fight off the intruders.
"I heard the noise, picked that up and thought I'd better take this just in case," he said.
"What I thought was a mop, turned out to be a crowbar, came down on my arm.
"Had a little bit of a shoving match, three young blokes, forced them down the stairs."
Malthouse said he was hit in the chest by what he thought was a screwdriver during the scuffle.
"It only just broke the skin so no dramas," he added.
Malthouse spoke to media near his home following the incident. 9News
He told media his wife was not doing OK and was incredibly shaken by the incident.
"I just wanted to protect my wife," Malthouse added.
"She saw them running away and thought... maybe I'm not coming back."
Malthouse said he couldn't give more details due to the ongoing police investigation.
The incident has left him concerned about the state's youth crime crisis.
"So many half-witted people who think they can just break into someone's home," he said.
"We used to live in a great state. I don't think we do now."
Malthouse fought back and wrestled one of the men in a stairwell. Photo by Wayne Taylor/Fairfax Media
The offenders fled the scene on foot, police said.
An investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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