Dad belted with golf club in Vic invasion

A sleeping family was woken by violent thugs who forced their way into a Melbourne home and used a golf club to belt the father before stealing his Mercedes.

The terrifying ordeal unfolded in front of an eight-year-old girl who police say was left traumatised.

The victim, aged in his 50s, was asleep at their Maribyrnong home with his wife and daughter when disturbed by the intruders about 3.45am Thursday.

"We believe at this stage it was a targeted attack. Any incident of this nature is fairly traumatic," Detective Sergeant Mark Anderson told reporters.

"The little girl ... is asking questions as to why it happened to them and that is something the parents will talk to her about."

Her father suffered serious head injuries after being hit to the head with a golf club. The victim had allegedly first used a club to take a swing at an offender.

He was taken to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

Police have spoken to the man, who is known to police, about possible motives.

During the raid, the attackers, described as men of African appearance, found keys to the white Mercedes-Benz B class wagon with registration plates 1JC1SV.

It is understood the offenders hit the kerb as they left in the vehicle, with CCTV footage revealing the moment the vehicle took off down the street.

Det Sgt Anderson would not say if the offenders had targeted the people or the car.

The car is yet to be found and may have been seen in Wyndham about 6.30am.