West Coast coach John Worsfold says Will Schofield is lucky he wasn’t knifed after the AFL defender was allegedly attacked in his hometown of Geelong last weekend.
Schofield was left with a fractured cheekbone after being set upon from behind while walking to his car in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The incident happened less than a week after Australian baseballer Christopher Lane was shot dead while going on a jog in America.
Worsfold said sport stars weren’t the only ones who had to be careful when they were out and about.
“I tell my kids the same sort of stuff – be conscious,” Worsfold said.
“There are people out there who don’t live by the same sort of values.
“On one hand, Schofield was extremely lucky. That guy could have had a knife.
“We saw what happened to the young Australian guy in America who went out for a jog.
“There are dangers out there. Coxy (Dean Cox) has been attacked before – he copped it in Leederville.”
Worsfold said Schofield’s encounter wouldn’t change the club’s policy on what they allowed their players to do.
“We’re not going to narrow it down that players can only enter and leave their street one way, and enter their house through one side door,” Worsfold said.
“We’re not at that level yet.”
Schofield won’t require surgery, but the injury has forced him out of Saturday night’s clash with Adelaide at Patersons Stadium.
A 25-year-old man has been charged with assault over the incident.