Legendary AFL coach Mick Malthouse, 72, was forced to defend himself during an attempted home invasion at his Melbourne apartment complex in September 2024, striking an alleged intruder in the head with an exercise bar.
Three men—Joshua Di Cello, Aysar Mashu, and Andrew Carroll—are now charged in relation to the incident. The details emerged during a bail application hearing for Di Cello at a Melbourne court.
The Incident
Police allege Di Cello stole a key fob from a construction company that had completed cladding work on Malthouse's apartment complex on September 1, 2024.
Just after midnight on September 4, 2024, Di Cello, Mashu, and Carroll allegedly used an internal stairwell to attempt to break into Malthouse's penthouse.
Malthouse heard noises from the front door and confronted the three men, who were allegedly in possession of a jimmy bar and trying to break through the door. Malthouse swung an exercise pole at them, causing them to retreat to the basement.
A second confrontation occurred when Malthouse followed the group as they allegedly tried to break open a door to flee. Carroll raised a jimmy bar, and Malthouse struck him in the head with the exercise bar, causing Carroll to drop it.
Malthouse was stabbed in the chest with a screwdriver by Mashu. The injuries were superficial and did not cause organ damage.
About an hour later, Carroll was seen on CCTV with a visible welt under his left eye.
"I managed to crack one of them with the exercise bar … I whacked him twice."
— Mick Malthouse, later telling police
Broader Allegations
Police allege Di Cello worked with others to commit a series of property and car thefts between August and September 2024. Locations targeted included jewellery shops, offices, and a Dandenong South property where $60,000 worth of boxed children's toys were stolen.
Di Cello is alleged to have worn Nike sportswear during several incidents.
Legal Proceedings
Di Cello, Mashu, and Carroll have been arrested and are on remand. They have not yet entered pleas regarding the alleged break-in.
Di Cello's lawyer, Nadia Giogianni, argued for bail, citing her client's intention to attend a drug rehabilitation centre and his intellectual disability. Police opposed bail, noting Di Cello's lengthy criminal history and describing him as a "persistent, prolific thief."
The court had not reached a decision on the bail application as of Monday afternoon.