The 68-year-old was attacked, forced into the trunk of his own vehicle, and covered in petrol on his farm along the Melba Highway in Yea on June 23.

Detectives claim three unknown offenders armed with two guns and a machete confronted the man after knocking on his front door about 1.15am.

After failing to comply with their demands for cash and a firearm, the victim was blindfolded and assaulted, police allege.

He was then dragged out of his rural farm property and forced into the boot of his own vehicle.

Subsequently, one offender drove the vehicle up the driveway, removed the man from the car, and took him to a nearby field, where he reportedly faced more assaults.

The victim was then doused in petrol and held at gunpoint while his house was set ablaze, police allege.

The home was destroyed by the blaze.

The offenders fled the scene in another vehicle, allegedly taking three of the victims’ firearms with them.

The victim sustained significant lacerations to the back of his head, a broken finger, and injuries to his hands.

Police believe he was also pistol-whipped during the ordeal.

“This vicious, brutal, and cowardly attack on an elderly man living alone in an isolated area requires the public’s help to identify the three attackers,” Detective Sergeant Flyn Loughlin stated.

“He will recover physically. I don’t know how anyone recovers quickly from an attack on you in the sanctity of your own home.

“I don’t know how you ever recover from that emotionally.”

No arrests have been made at this stage.

The three offenders are perceived to be Middle Eastern in appearance and are believed to have spoken in Arabic during the incident.

It is “likely and possible” that the farmer and his home were not the intended victims.

”We’re continuing to investigate the circumstances and the possibility that these offenders have incorrectly targeted the wrong house and wrong intended victim – a victim who was unable to meet their specific demands,” Loughlin said.

Police are urging an anonymous Crime Stoppers caller who provided information relating to the attack to again reach out.

“We’re urging an anonymous caller to Crime Stoppers who recently provided us with information regarding the incident to make further contact and provide any additional details,” Loughlin said.