AFL legend Mick Malthouse has thanked police after they charged a man over the attempted invasion of his home earlier this month.

Malthouse, 72, armed himself with a piece of exercise equipment and fought off a group at the door of his East Melbourne property on Thursday, September 4.

The former Collingwood and West Coast coach had been woken by noises and confronted the trio but as they fled, one stabbed him in the chest with a screwdriver.

Malthouse received minor injuries and refused medical treatment.

Police said on Thursday they had arrested three people over a months-long crime spree.

One of the three, a 36-year-old man from Ascot Vale, has been charged with 25 offences, including burglary, attempted aggravated home invasion and intentionally causing injury.

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