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.

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.

In 2008, Hughes announced he was running for a position on the Bulldogs Rugby League Football Club Board of Directors alongside former players Andrew Farrar, Paul Dunn and Barry Ward.

His brothers Mark and Garry played for Canterbury, as did his cousin Kevin Moore and nephews Glen, Steven and Corey.

[5] On 31 July 2016, Hughes commentated the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles against Newcastle Knights game for the NRL's retro round on Fox Sports Australia.