Carlton legend Peter Dean told his son Harry to leave his hospital bedside to play in a practice match this week, as the dual premiership winner recovers from an alleged assault that took place on Monday night.
During the Blues’ annual general meeting on Wednesday evening, club president Rob Priestley delivered an update on the 60-year-old’s condition, revealing that he had suffered a broken cheekbone and had a bleed on the brain.
It is understood that Dean has undergone facial surgery and was in a stable condition on Wednesday night.
New South Wales police say they have arrested a 17-year-old male following the alleged incident. A police spokesperson said: ‘The young person will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.’
Peter had presented his son Harry with his first Blues jumper after he was drafted to the Blues as a No 3 father-son pick in the 2025 AFL National Draft.
It is understood that the 18-year-old defender had rushed from Melbourne to be by his dad’s bedside in hospital.
Carlton legend Peter Dean (right) told his son Harry (left) to leave his hospital bedside to play in a practice match this week, as the dual premiership winner recovers from an alleged assault
Carlton president Rob Priestley told Carlton members during the club’s AGM on Wednesday that Dean (pictured) had suffered a fractured cheekbone and a bleed on the brain
Carlton, meanwhile, had an intraclub game scheduled for Wednesday at IKON Park, but given the stressful nature of the circumstances, the club said they had chosen not to include the youngster in the match.
Blues CEO Graham Wright said on Wednesday evening: ‘Peter told Harry to get back down here and play in the practice match.
‘It was decided, given how stress can lead to injuries, our football staff decided not to play him in the game.’
Reports from The Herald Sun stated that Dean had been collecting a takeaway on Monday at around 8pm on Smollet Street in Albury, when the former footy star saw two young men allegedly trying to break into cars.
Dean is understood to have approached the two individuals and spoke with them briefly before walking away. The men are alleged to have followed Dean before attacking him.
The two-time premiership winner was left unconscious on the pavement following the alleged attack. A passer-by later found him and he was rushed to hospital with serious facial injuries.
Priestley was asked about the club legend’s condition during Wednesday’s AGM.
‘He had a broken cheekbone from the punch and was unconscious from the punch when he hit the ground and cracked his skull on the pavement,’ he said.
The 60-year-old was allegedly assaulted at around 8pm on Monday on Smollett Street in Albury
Harry (pictured) was due to play in an intraclub match on Wednesday but the Blues stated that given the circumstances, they opted to exclude him from the match
Dean (top-centre) won two premierships with the Blues during his glittering career in footy
‘He has a little internal bleed on the brain.’
Dean enjoyed a glittering career in footy’s top flight, with the defender making 248 appearances for the Blues.
He’d guide the team to win the premiership in 1987 and again in 1995, before hanging up his boots three years later, and stepping into coaching.
The Carlton Football Club said it had ‘extended sympathies’ to the Dean family earlier in the week.
After handing his son Harry his Blues jersey, Peter went on to laud his son’s skill, stating that he was a ‘better version of me.’
‘Taller, stronger — although I’ve still got him in the wrestles at home — he [Harry] is quicker, he’s a left-footer so he’s got more skill and he’s a better person as well,’ Dean said.
Carlton had been desperate to bring Harry to the club last year, and he is in the running to make his debut next month when the Blues kick-start their 2026 season on March 5 against the Sydney Swans.
Speaking to AFL journalist Riley Beveridge last October, Harry explained that it was his dad who inspired him to play footy.
‘I was forced to be a Carlton supporter, obviously,’ Harry said.
‘Dad nearly played 250 games and he played in two premierships. That inspired me heaps through my journey to hopefully put on the same jersey and the same number as him. It would be pretty special.
‘Just the influence he’s had through my career and the feedback and the things he’s taught me through my journey, it’s been pretty special. To maybe one day put on the navy blue, it would be pretty cool.’
