The Alleged Home Invasion and the Response of a Football Legend
A legendary AFL coach, Mick Malthouse, reportedly used an exercise bar to defend his family during an alleged attempted home invasion. This incident, which took place last year, was discussed in a Melbourne court, where new details about the event were revealed.
The Break-In Attempt
According to Victoria Police detective Tyler Sherlock, one of the accused, Joshua Di Cello, allegedly stole a key fob from a construction company that had completed cladding work on Mr Malthouse’s apartment complex on September 1. Di Cello, along with co-accused Aysar Mashu and Andrew Carroll, arrived at the complex just after midnight on September 4. They used an internal stairwell to attempt to break into Mr Malthouse’s penthouse.
Mr Malthouse described hearing noises from the front door. He confronted Di Cello, Mashu, and Carroll and observed them in possession of a jimmy bar, actively trying to break through the door. Malthouse then swung an exercise pole at them before they retreated to the basement.
The Second Confrontation
Later, a second confrontation occurred when Mr Malthouse, who is 72 years old, followed the group, who were by that stage allegedly trying to break open a door to flee. During this encounter, Carroll raised a jimmy bar he was in possession of. Malthouse struck Carroll in the head with the exercise bar, causing Carroll to drop it.
Mr Malthouse was also stabbed in the chest with a screwdriver by Mr Mashu. However, the injuries were superficial and did not cause any organ damage. About an hour later, Mr Carroll was seen on CCTV with “a significant welt under his left eye,” according to Mr Sherlock.
Mr Malthouse’s Statement
The court heard that Mr Malthouse later told officers, “I managed to crack one of them with the exercise bar … I whacked him twice.” His actions were clearly aimed at protecting his family and property.
Other Alleged Targeted Properties
Police allege that Mr Di Cello worked with others to commit a series of property and car thefts between August and September 2025. Locations targeted included jewellery shops, offices, and a Dandenong South property where $60,000 worth of boxed children’s toys were stolen. Mr Di Cello is alleged to have been decked out in Nike sportswear during several of the incidents.
Arrests and Legal Proceedings
Mr Di Cello, Mr Mashu, and Mr Carroll have since been arrested and are on remand. The trio are yet to enter a plea in respect to the alleged break-in of Mr Malthouse’s property.
Mr Di Cello’s lawyer, Nadia Giogianni, said her client was seeking bail so he could attend a drug rehabilitation centre. She also mentioned that her client, 36, was a vulnerable person with an intellectual disability. However, Mr Sherlock argued that it was in the community’s interests for him to remain in custody, citing his lengthy criminal history.
“He’s a persistent, prolific thief,” Mr Sherlock said. A magistrate denied Mr Di Cello’s bail application this afternoon.
