Norwood wingman Gavin Hughes takes surgery to end heart scares

NORWOOD speedster Gavin Hughes will this week undergo surgery to correct a heart condition which caused him a scare before a recent reserves match.

NORWOOD speedster Gavin Hughes will this week undergo surgery to correct a heart condition which caused him a scare before a recent SANFL reserves match.

Hughes was warming up to play North Adelaide on May 4 when his heart slowed then momentarily stopped beating.

The former Western Bulldog's heart re-started shortly afterward and began beating rapidly, making him feel disorientated and ill.

Hughes has previously suffered the irregularity, caused by a problem with an electrical pathway to his heart, but this is the first time it has caused him to miss a match in seven years.

In 2006, the talented wingman collapsed in the shower on the day of an SANFL state match and was forced to withdraw.

Hughes said the latest incident, while worrying, would not cause him to give football away, and he hoped surgery during Norwood's bye this week would correct the condition permanently.

"I started feeling really short of breath (against North) and then my heart slows down then stops ... then it goes `bang' and starts beating really fast and that's when all the blood rushes to my head and I feel like I'm going to pass out," he said.

"Anything to do with the heart is serious and people understandably get worried but hopefully this procedure will correct it ...

"They make a little incision in my leg and push up a catheter next to my heart and pump me full of adrenalin, and, if they can do that, they can hopefully pin point where the electrical impulse is short-circuiting and burn it off."

Hughes fought back from his latest scare to play the past three matches in Norwood's league team, including a standout performance against South Adelaide last month.

The 27-year-old has also suffered from illness and a chipped elbow this year.

Last year, he was unable to fight his way into Norwood's league premiership side after recovering from a damaged anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.

Hughes said the dream of playing in a premiership for the Redlegs this year had kept him going through all of the setbacks.

"That why I'm playing footy," he said.

"We all play football to win premierships but to win one with my best mates at this club that I love, that's what inspires me and that's what would make it satisfying for me if we could get there."