Bouncers in spotlight over city pub scuffle
Dan Oakes | October 14, 2008
MELBOURNE'S bouncers are back under the microscope after an AFL assistant coach was allegedly assaulted by a crowd controller at the weekend.
Western Bulldogs defensive coach Peter Dean was reportedly punched in the face by a bouncer outside the Waterside Hotel in the city on Friday night after he and another Bulldogs employee were refused entry.
It is believed Dean has told Bulldogs officials they went to the pub after a social event with other staff and coaches.
The Age believes Dean has said he was not excessively affected by alcohol, but the other employee was more intoxicated. After they were knocked back, a scuffle began and Dean was allegedly punched in the face.
His injuries are said to be minor and he has not made a complaint to the police.
It is believed the bouncer's version of events differs considerably from Dean's.
The general manager of the hotel and a former Bulldogs player, Stuart Wigney, said yesterday that after the two men were refused entry because they were drunk, they tried to get in through a side door and were turned back again. He said there was an altercation.
Mr Wigney said he was unable to comment further until he and Bulldogs representatives he seen security camera footage of the incident.
The incident is particularly sensitive because the Waterside sponsors the Western Bulldogs.
There are other links: Wayne Campbell, a part-owner of the hotel, was the midfield coach at the Bulldogs until the end of last season, while another owner, Nathan Brown, began his career at Whitten Oval.
It is believed that Dean, a qualified electrician, also did work on the hotel before it reopened under the present owners.
http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/dogs-and-bouncers-scuffle/2008/10/13/1223749939912.html
