TV star Dave Hughes in hospital with five broken ribs and punctured lung after Legends Game

Cameron Noakes
7NEWS Sport
Dan Gorringe delivers a powerful ruck contest against Dave Hughes, completely dominating the encounter on the 50-metre line. Hughes uses the full circle in his run-up but gets comprehensively beaten in what appears to be a demoralising moment for him

It was a brutal Thursday night for TV star Dave Hughes in the Legends Game with the famous comedian ending up in hospital with serious injuries.

Hughes, who was seen getting his chest strapped during the game, ended up with multiple broken ribs and a punctured lung.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Dan Gorringe flattens Dave Hughes in Legends Game.

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According to Sunrise reporter Andrew McCormack, the injuries happened early in the game.

“He played through and even hung around for the after party,” McCormack said.

“He was complaining of soreness during celebrations post-game which got progressively worse and is now laid up in a hospital bed

Dave Hughes in his hospital bed after the Legends Game.
Dave Hughes in his hospital bed after the Legends Game. Credit: Supplied

“Can’t say Hughesy isn’t tough.

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“He got home around 2am before heading to hospital in the early hours of this morning. His wife drove him to hospital.”

There were several flashpoints during the game that involved the 54-year-old Hughes.

At one point he was shoved to the ground by Mitch Robinson, the former Carlton and Brisbane hard nut, who was accused by commentators of taking the game too seriously.

Another time he was brutalised when he went up in the ruck against former AFL big man Dan Gorringe.

“Oh no, he’s been monstered,” star commentator Brian Taylor said when Gorringe ran through him.

On Friday morning Hughes shared details of the injuries and explained exactly what had happened.

“We’re in Cabrini Hospital. I’ve got five broken ribs and a punctured lung. At half-time, I was coming off the ground and I was like, ‘I feel like I have a punctured lung’, and I was joking, but no, I do,” he said on Triple M.

“There are some moments I would like to take back ...”

Hughes suffered broken ribs during the game and at one point was flattened by Dan Gorringe.
Hughes suffered broken ribs during the game and at one point was flattened by Dan Gorringe. Credit: Seven

Asked who got him, he pointed to former West Coast champ Andrew Embley.

“(It was) Andrew Embley. (Luke Hodge) kicked it to me, I dropped a chest mark – it was the lights, there’s too many lights at that ground – and Embley came in from the side.

“It was the first collision, and from that moment I was struggling. (Then Daniel) Gorringe slammed me in the ruck.

“I don’t know (why I was in the ruck), someone told me to do it.

“I was set up and then he slammed me. He’s a really large man. And Robbo (Robinson), after I kicked the goal (hit me), I thought, ‘Am I going to die out here?’”

After hearing the news, Embley - a member of West Coast’s 2006 premiership team and the Norm Smith Medal winner from that year’s epic grand final - sent a heartfelt apology to Hughes.

“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,” he said on 92.9 Triple M Breakfast with Xav & Katie.

“You look so sore right now. How brave were you, big fella, to continue with the game. I’m thinking of you.

“Rest up and, again mate, I’m so sorry that I’ve caused you to be having this very tough morning this morning. Take care and I’ll send some flowers your way shortly.”

Channel 7 commentator and St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt also battled injury throughout the game.

And like Hughes, Riewoldt refused to come off the ground, and just hobbled about in the forward line.

The night belonged to AFL recluse Cyril Rioli, however, who wowed fans with a monster torpedo goal, and was awarded the best-on-ground medal.

A record crowd of more than 30,000 people turned up to watch the game at Marvel Stadium which raised almost $1 million to support the Australian Prostate Centre.

Originally published on 7NEWS Sport

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