As a sportsman, Hughes found most success in rugby league, playing for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs as well as representing his state at the age of 19. Hughes was unlucky not to be selected for the Australian side to go on the 1978 Kangaroo tour. He was a key member of the Bulldogs "Entertainers" era playing second-row in the Grand Final loss against St George and starred the following year in Canterbury's 18–4 victory against Easts in 1980. Hughes retired in 1982 after a series of injuries to focus on his media career.