AFL legend Brendan Fevola has voiced genuine fears for the safety of television personality Dave Hughes as the comedian prepares to make a courageous return to the football field this weekend.
Hughes Returns to Suburban Football
Hughes, 55, has agreed to play for the Eley Park Sharks in the VAFA Thirds Division 7 Men's competition at Whitehorse Reserve in Box Hill. Carlton great Fevola, who will also be playing for the Sharks this Saturday, expressed concern given the events of last year when Hughes last played football.
Last Year's Horror Injury
In now infamous scenes, Hughes was hospitalised with five broken ribs and a punctured lung last August while representing Victoria against the All Stars in the Legends Match at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. At the time, Fevola felt Hughes was targeted and described the rough contact from content creator Dan Gorringe as a 'dog act'.
Hughes required a chest drain to remove fluid accumulation weeks after the initial injury stemming from the Legends Game.
Hughes' Apprehension
Understandably, Hughes admitted this week that he was 'slightly nervous' ahead of lacing his boots for Eley Park. 'I'm going to go flat out, but I don't want to be targeted,' Hughes said on Fox FM's Fifi, Fev & Nick show. 'The thing about suburban footy is... there's less cameras and more chance for people who have just got out of prison to really nail you and have a story to dine out on. I need a locked-on camera on me in case there's an incident, and a direct feed to the local police station. I want to wear a GoPro on my forehead.'
Fevola's Protective Promise
Fevola, who has vowed to protect his good mate on the field, hopes Hughes 'doesn't snap in half'. 'This isn't a funny game, it is for premiership points, so let's just hope he gets through it,' the decorated forward said.
Last year, Fevola and Australian music star Guy Sebastian played a one-off game for Masala Dandenong in the Division 5 Thirds competition in suburban Melbourne. That match proved eventful for Australian Idol winner Sebastian, who ruptured his Achilles and required surgery.
First bounce at Whitehorse Reserve in Box Hill this Saturday is at 12pm, with multi-platinum artist Amy Shark set to perform a special show at half-time.
