The Australian Football League (AFL) recently introduced increased security for head coaches after threats were made toward their safety. In recent rounds, several coaches, including Michael Voss, Simon Goodwin, and Luke Beveridge, have been assigned additional security personnel disguised in club colors at their respective games.
In Round 18, Michael Voss, head coach of the Carlton Football Club, had a hidden security guard present under the guise of a club supporter. This measure was introduced after the lawmaker received a frightening social media post that threatened his life. After his team, the Adelaide Crows, lost to St Kilda, the Crows’ coach, Simon Goodwin, received an online threat on his wife’s life. As a result, he had a security minder assigned to him throughout Round 21.
In Round 17, Luke Beveridge’s predicament took center stage. While an “invisible” security guard in a Bulldogs jacket went unpunished at Marvel Stadium, this wasn’t the case for Melbourne Victory fans. He had been shielding AFL executive Andrew Dillon for the last 18 months. All season long, he represented various club colors. After appearing three times, there are deeper questions about why the coaches’ safety fears persist.
Since the emergence of these threats the AFL’s integrity unit has been on the front foot to combat them. They’re increasing engagement with clubs to improve security for coaches. Thanks to a great piece by Caroline Wilson, one of Australia’s leading sports journalists, this effort was placed in the national spotlight. She underscored that the league is doing everything possible to protect coaches and comfort their families.
“The club are refusing to comment, and all the AFL will tell me is that — we shouldn’t overplay this — but they are prepared to go to the next level, not only to protect coaches, but to put at ease the minds of their wives and families, who of course are the other ones troubled by this,” – Caroline Wilson.
The ubiquitous sight of an undercover security force is a reminder of the urgency in which these schools were created. Wilson remarked on the peculiar nature of the security guard’s role, stating, “This man, who we’ve seen three times in different club colours, has worked (with and) protected Andrew Dillon over the past 18 months, and I just think it’s really interesting that AFL integrity are doing this in association with the clubs.”
Fears for coach safety have reached new heights in the wake of a half dozen other alarming incidents this season. Wilson spoke about how there had been some unaddressed concerns around Luke Beveridge when his side played North Melbourne.
“Clearly something happened to provoke Luke Beveridge getting that protection in the North Melbourne centenary game,” – Caroline Wilson.
While we can’t know the exact nature of the threats at this time, what is undeniable is that the AFL is putting safety first.
“I can’t tell you what it was, but they were obviously worried,” – Caroline Wilson.
In the wake of these developments, Simon Goodwin said that there was confidence in the AFL’s steps. His comments brought attention to a continuing need for caution in the sport.
“The AFL are just taking all the precautions that they need, and I think that’s what we need in our game, and after last week, we just (ourselves in the hands) of the AFL, and just a little bit extra (security) this week,” – Simon Goodwin.
These security initiatives are meant to be low-profile. In this manner, coaches will be able to avoid unnecessary distractions from their duties while not leaving themselves vulnerable. Wilson emphasized that, at games, there is a very visible presence of security agents. Beyond that, the league wants to install security measures that are more subtle.
“They’ve got fluro-vest guys as well, but they want to go the extra step to not make it obvious that these guys are actually security guards, so they can be invisible, so to speak,” – Caroline Wilson.
The AFL’s actions reflect a broader concern about safety within sports entertainment, particularly following incidents that have raised alarms among players and staff alike.
“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,” – Caroline Wilson.
While security measures are created to address threats made toward a coach, the AFL has to be on constant alert. It must prioritize not just the physical safety, but the psychological well-being of its coaching staff.
