Comedian Dave Hughes has been hospitalized in a “reasonably serious” condition with five cracked ribs and a punctured lung after a series of heavy collisions in the Legends charity match at Marvel Stadium.
Comedian Dave Hughes has been rushed to hospital with multiple cracked ribs and a punctured lung following a series of heavy collisions during Thursday night’s Legends football match at Marvel Stadium.
The 54-year-old, who was initially feared to have suffered a lacerated spleen, sustained the injuries after several bruising clashes in the high-profile charity game, which raised funds for prostate cancer research.
Allies coach Shane Crawford jokingly instructed his team pre-match to “really get into” Hughes. The comedian was first floored by former AFL player Dan Gorringe at a centre bounce. Not long after, while celebrating a goal for the Vics, Hughes was shoved over again by Gorringe’s teammate Mitch Robinson.
Despite the knocks, Hughes played through the game and even attended the post-match function. It was not until early Friday morning that his wife, Holly, noticed his worsening condition and drove him to hospital, where doctors confirmed three cracked ribs and a punctured lung. Hughes later revealed he had suffered five cracked ribs in total.
“The verdict is, three cracked ribs and a slightly punctured lung, which he thinks happened in the first hit. Then he’s been cleaned up a couple more times after that,” Holly Hughes explained.
The comedian had also clashed with former AFL premiership player Andrew Embley, though it remains unclear which hit caused the most damage. Embley later offered a public apology.
“I just want to say that I am so sorry for my little thump on you last night that has, obviously, caused so much damage,” Embley told Triple M Perth. “You look so sore right now … take care and I’ll send some flowers your way shortly.”
Former Carlton and Brisbane star Brendan Fevola also recalled the moment Hughes appeared seriously hurt.
“I got real worried because I went to pick him up off the ground and he couldn’t breathe,” Fevola said on Fox FM radio. “He literally could not get up off the ground. A few people thought he was putting it on, but I knew he was in trouble.”
Holly Hughes confirmed her husband had been in significant pain at home before she made the decision to get him to hospital. He currently remains in what doctors describe as a “reasonably serious” condition.