AFL great Peter Dean has been hospitalised with serious head injuries after allegedly being attacked by youths.
According to the Herald Sun, The Carlton legend, 60, was picking up takeaway in Albury, New South Wales, when he noticed two teenagers trying to break into cars.
He decided to speak to them and after a brief conversation, he reportedly left the scene.
It is understood the youths then followed him and attacked him, knocking him unconscious.
Dean was found at the side of the road by a passer-by.
“Following inquiries by detectives from Murray River Police District, police arrested a 17-year-old male,” a police spokesperson said.
“He was taken to Albury Police Station. The young person will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.”
Dean, a former Carlton premiership defender, is in hospital and reportedly in a stable condition.
He was a key member of the Blues’ premiership sides in 1987 and 1995.
His son, Harry Dean, was selected by Carlton with pick No.3 in last year’s national draft.
At local club Lavington Panthers, Dean is widely respected for his contribution to the community. He coached the club’s under-18 side to a premiership last year.
Panthers president Peter Barwick said players were deeply affected by the news.
“It’s just devastating that it could happen,” Barwick said.
“We told the players last night what had happened and they were just devastated.
“He’s such a down to earth bloke. If you didn’t know him, you wouldn’t know he had been an AFL player.
“All he’s worried about is making sure the kids he coached all turned out to be good kids.”
Although Dean no longer holds a formal coaching role at the Panthers, he continues to assist with the Murray Bushrangers, who compete in the AFL’s Talent League.
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