AFL/VFL legend Doug Hawkins says he still has shivers after he was struck by lightning in Melbourne’s freak storms on Thursday.
The former Western Bulldogs/Footscray champion was taken to Footscray Hospital after the incident which “scared the crap” out of him.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Chris Scott faces media after Round 2 loss to Carlton.
Analysis, local footy and the biggest moments, Seven and 7plus are the home of footy shows for every fan. Stream them all for free on 7plus >>
‘Dancing Dougie’ is a much-loved icon of Melbourne’s western suburbs and there is a statue of him outside the Braybrook Hotel.
The 62-year-old was working on site in Yarraville on Thursday morning when Melbourne’s skies turned dark and the storm hit.
Speaking on 3AW radio station, Hawkins detailed the scary incident.
“I was too scared to get out of the box,” he said. “(It) scared the crap (out of me).
“That was the most scary experience I have ever, ever had, particularly when the box started to shake.
“It was the loudest thunder I have ever heard in my life. It just went ‘bang’ and all of a sudden the whole box shook for about 10 seconds.
“I was too scared to get out of the box and go to my car.”
He said he felt “light-headed and unwell” as the box shook.
He compared the experience to playing against another star from the 1980s in Hawthorn Brownlow medallist and famous hard nut Robert DiPierdomenico.
“It was nearly worse than playing on Dipper in the 1980s and not knowing where he was. That’s how bad it was,” he said.
“It actually scared the crap out of me.“
Hawkins had scans and his heart checked at the hospital.
“It was like a delayed response,” he said.
“I said I’m not feeling too great. I’m a bit light headed and I’ve got these shivers up my left arm.
“I’m back up and about.”
Hawkins played over 350 AFL/VFL games and was captain of the Western Bulldogs from 1990-93.
If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your .
To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide.
