The 28-year-old kicked in the door of a home at Carrum Downs, in Melbourne's southeast, after midnight in October 2020.

There stood Paul Betteridge, armed with a baseball bat after being woken by his wife, who heard a noise and saw Iaulualo and his 32-year-old accomplice, Daniel Heaven, at their front door.

Mr Betteridge fended off the two home invaders after Iaulualo said: "I want to fight."

But they re-entered the home and assaulted both Mr Betteridge and his son.

Iaulualo and Heaven on Wednesday faced the Victorian County Court and were jailed over the attack.

Judge Paul Lacava described the pair as violent thugs.

He sentenced Iaulualo, who pleaded guilty to home invasion and common assault, to four years and six months in prison and he must serve at least three years.

Heaven, who pleaded guilty to one extra count of common assault for hitting Mr Betteridge's son over the head with the butane torch, was jailed for four years and three months, with a two years and nine months minimum.

"The whole episode lasted only two minutes, but you inflicted injury and fear in the occupants, who were doing nothing more than sleeping in the sanctity of their own home," Judge Lacava said.

"This was stupid behaviour by the both of you ... it was an entirely unprovoked home invasion in the middle of the night."

Iaulualo led the way during the attack, the court was told.

He had never met Mr Betteridge or his family, but his friend had a business association with him.

Iaulualo, Heaven and a third male, who cannot be named, booked an Uber to the victim's Carrum Downs from the nearby suburb of Chelsea.

The group was picked up by the same driver eight minutes later. He told police the men were panting heavily and appeared to have been running when he returned.

Police found the butane torch at Mr Betteridge's home.

Australian Associated Press