- Safety of footy coaches of paramount importance
- Chilling death threats have unfolded in recent weeks
- Mystery man has flanked three coaches on game–days
The AFL has confirmed the league has employed a security guard – whose identity remains a closely guarded secret – to protect multiple coaches, with the game’s top brass sure to be unimpressed after his identity was revealed on TV.
It follows two recent social media posts which made chilling death-threat references to Michael Voss (Carlton)and Simon Goodwin (Melbourne).
Speaking on Channel Seven‘s The Agenda Setters on Monday, journalist Caroline Wilson revealed a third coach – Luke Beveridge from the Western Bulldogs– was first flanked on-field by the same mystery man ahead of his team’s round 17 clash against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on July 3.
As many footy fans will recall, it was the night the Kangarooswere celebrating their centenary as a club.
‘He (security) was there protecting Luke Beveridge. Why Luke Beveridge needed protection on that particular night, I’m not sure,’ Wilson said.
‘He emerged again the following week in Carlton colours, looking out for Michael Voss. Of course there’d been that dreadful, horrible social media comment that could have been perceived as a death threat to the Carlton coach after the loss to Collingwood.
The AFL has confirmed the league has employed a security guard (pictured, front) – whose identity remains a closely guarded secret – to protect multiple coaches
It follows two separate social media posts which contained chilling death-threat references to Carlton coach Michael Voss (pictured) and ex-Demons boss Simon Goodwin
The man has been spotted in club attire (pictured) from multiple clubs dating back to July 3
‘He emerged again, also at Marvel Stadium, on the weekend, and of course, (Demons boss) Simon Goodwin addressed his presence after the game. There was a pretty nasty social media comment directed at the Melbourne coach after the (recent) loss to St Kilda.
‘The AFL are very sensitive about this, they’d rather we weren’t reporting it.
‘But I think the fact that he’s a pretty prominent-looking bloke and we’ve spotted him at Marvel Stadium now three times since Round 17, at a time when there’s been some pretty ugly stuff directed at coaches.’
The Western Bulldogs have refused to comment as to why Beveridge was given the extra protection ahead of the Kangaroos milestone game.
‘Clearly something happened to provoke Luke Beveridge getting that (extra) protection,’ Wilson added.
‘I can’t tell you what it was, but they were obviously worried.
‘But it was telling that the AFL was concerned (enough) to alleviate the worries of the wives and families, who clearly watch their husbands go out in very exposed situations.
‘I mean, I don’t like to be dramatic, but two guns got into the MCG earlier this year.’
Co-host Craig Hutchison weighed in with: ‘It’s a smart move, but a sad move, if it’s a reflection of what’s needed in footy. And this is 2025 Australia we’re talking about.’