Comedian Dave Hughes proves laughter isn't always the best medicine—but his fighting spirit certainly helps

Sometimes charity work comes with unexpected risks, and comedian Dave Hughes has learned this lesson the hard way.

Six weeks after suffering catastrophic injuries during a charity football match, the beloved radio and television personality finds himself back in hospital, facing yet another setback in what's becoming a longer recovery journey than anyone anticipated.

It all started with good intentions. The AFL Legends Match at Marvel Stadium raised almost $1 million for prostate cancer research, bringing together retired football champions and celebrities for what should have been a fun evening of sport for a worthy cause. For Hughes, however, the night would prove to be anything but lighthearted.

The night that changed everything

The damage was believed to have been caused in an innocuous incident with former West Coast Eagles player Andrew Embley in the first half when Embley went in with his hip after Hughes dived to the ground to clean up a loose ball. There didn't appear to be anything illegal in Embley's actions, but his much bigger body collided with Hughes' exposed ribs.

What makes Hughes' story remarkable isn't just the severity of his injuries—five broken ribs and a punctured lung—but his extraordinary response to them. He did manage to kick a goal after injury and even attended the post-match function before his condition became truly apparent.

After celebrating at Crown Casino until around 1:30 a.m. and returning home by Uber at 2 a.m., Hughes awoke in severe pain. His wife, Holly, drove him to Cabrini Hospital around 5 a.m., where scans revealed the extent of his injuries.

When good intentions go awry

The match wasn't supposed to be a contact sport free-for-all. However, pre-game footage emerged showing All-Stars coach Shane Crawford jokingly asking his players to target Hughes, saying he wanted Hughes to 'never put his hand up ever again for a game.'

While Crawford's comments were meant in jest—the players are all friendly with Hughes off the field—some observers noted the video seemed 'a lot darker' given Hughes' serious injuries, with one person commenting that 'what's happened to him is not OK, and it's not to be laughed off.'

Crawford has since apologised to Hughes, telling The Age: 'I sent him a message saying, for starters, not many get through a game with broken ribs, so you are in very rare company. Obviously, I hope he is OK. We definitely don't want anyone getting injured.'

The road to recovery proves bumpy

Fast forward six weeks, and Hughes' recovery has hit another snag. The comedian returned to hospital this week for a procedure to remove fluid from his lungs—a complication that can occur following punctured lung injuries.

With his characteristic humour intact, Hughes described the procedure on social media: 'The experts are draining a coupla litres of lung fluid into a goon bag for me. Then it's party time again.' He added with typical comedic timing, 'Apparently fluid on your lungs is not a good thing, so we're getting rid of it.'

Even from his hospital bed, Hughes hasn't lost his ability to find the funny side of dire circumstances, complaining about the constant beeping of hospital equipment: 'You know what kills you about hospitals? Not the risk of infection. It's just the beeping. Someone shut the fridge, for f***'s sake.'

The physical and emotional toll

Hughes, a long-time AFL enthusiast and former co-host of The Footy Show, was the oldest player on the field at 54 and had recently lost 10kg on 'I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!', making him particularly vulnerable at just 74kg.

The extended recovery has clearly tested Hughes' resilience. A month after the initial injury, he admitted the healing process was taking longer than expected: 'I've never had broken ribs before, and they are something that does hang around. I like to laugh, normally, but I don't like to laugh now.'

The physical limitations have been particularly challenging for a comedian whose livelihood depends on his ability to perform. Hughes described struggling with basic activities: '(The pain) just hits you, I was in an Uber yesterday just groaning in the back and the guy had no idea what was going on. (I was saying) 'You're taking the corners too fast, man, you've got to go slow round these corners.''

A testament to Aussie spirit

Despite the setbacks, Hughes has maintained the self-deprecating humour and determination that has endeared him to Australian audiences for decades. Even while promoting his comedy tour from hospital, he struck a defiant note: 'Back kicking goals! Come see the legend, on stage, where he really has no rivals!'

From his hospital bed, Hughes reflected on the experience with characteristic good humour: 'I love footy and I love things to joke about. I got both last night. In hindsight the second half hits from Gorringe and Robinson impacted me so much cos i already had five broken ribs and a punctured lung. Happy i gathered myself enough to kick a goal. I've seen so many pros miss from 20m out directly in front!'

What this means for charity sport participants

Hughes' experience serves as a reminder that good intentions don't eliminate physical risks, particularly for participants over 50. While the AFL Legends Game has been running successfully for years, this incident highlights the importance of appropriate medical screening and modified contact rules for older participants.

Medical experts note that punctured lungs from blunt trauma, while serious, often resolve with rest and monitoring, though recovery for broken ribs can take weeks. For older adults, the healing process can be even more prolonged, making prevention all the more important.

The incident has sparked discussions about how celebrity charity matches should balance entertainment value with participant safety, especially when mixing professional athletes with celebrities of varying fitness levels.

The power of perspective

Perhaps what's most admirable about Hughes' journey is his refusal to let the experience embitter him toward the cause or the sport he loves. The comedian has consistently praised the charity work behind the event and maintained friendships with the players involved.

Andrew Embley sent a heartfelt message 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, 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.'

It's this spirit of forgiveness and perspective that makes Hughes' story about more than just a sports injury—it's about resilience, community, and the sometimes-costly commitment to causes greater than ourselves.