Opinion Higgins: On the outer or on the move?

[Tommycash]

I'm very surprised that Shaun has been left out again this week and slightly concerned it could be a more sinister reason behind it. I would still be very surprised, but free agency has me spooked. Can anyone enlighten me?

 

[BRWB]

I'm very surprised that Shaun has been left out again this week and slightly concerned it could be a more sinister reason behind it. I would still be very surprised, but free agency has me spooked. Can anyone enlighten me?

Not sure Shaun on form is best 22 at the moment. His main thing is his 'silky' foot skills, as we know he has limitations with speed, run and defensive pressure, and contested ball work (though he has improved). When he played against Melbourne which was the last game I attended he sprayed it everywhere. Could be that simple.

Could be he is carrying an injury.

Could be they had to give JJ game time in order to get his trade value up or help retain him, and Higgins competes with JJ for that HB spot, although JJ has played wing as well.

Could be Darley's kicking is far superior to Higgins and that is keeping Higgins out.

Could be that they know Higgins is going FA and a la Roosy, they aren't going to play him - I think this last option is least likely.

 

[fronkalicious]

Best 22 no problems for me. Had 2 bad weeks and got dropped. It's fair and it happens.

I still don't think he goes anywhere when push comes to shove. Very important link between gen x (Boyd, murph, Morris) and gen y (Macrae, Libba, dal & co).

 

[igloo dweller]

Best 22 no problems for me. Had 2 bad weeks and got dropped. It's fair and it happens.

I still don't think he goes anywhere when push comes to shove. Very important link between gen x (Boyd, murph, Morris) and gen y (Macrae, Libba, dal & co).

persistent rumours though, fronk.

north offering 100k more, hawks and pies circling? i want shaun to stay, but i dunno if he's worth 100k+ more than we're paying / offering him. if 'push comes to shove' do you think the dogs match north's offer (separate issue to shaun accepting their offer)? how bad do the dogs want to keep him?

 

[Mutt]

I know you didn't direct your question at me igloo dweller but I have a pretty strong view about this.

I think we have to be very cautious about over-paying Higgins or anyone else on our list. We are not yet in Premiership mode and have a raft of great young talent to re-contract over the next four years. Paying Higgins (or anyone) $100k per season more than their worth to our club would be very poor list management. JMac is better than that.

 

[fronkalicious]

persistent rumours though, fronk.

north offering 100k more, hawks and pies circling? i want shaun to stay, but i dunno if he's worth 100k+ more than we're paying / offering him. if 'push comes to shove' do you think the dogs match north's offer (separate issue to shaun accepting their offer)? how bad do the dogs want to keep him?

No way we match the offer. No way. We have form in that regard. Cooney took almost $100k less. McCartney will play hardball with Higgins and sleep comfortably if he decides to leave.......which I doubt he will when push comes to shove. Loves the club big time.

 

[TempleKelvington]

He's out of form certainly, his foot skills are both sublime and horrific at times .....he maybe on the move......but not on the outer.

I think we should keep him, but not do anything over the top. He's just now getting his body right, we have had 5 years of him being injured it would be great if he stayed and was able to be the player we hoped for.

I like Higgins, seems a good bloke and without injuries and on the trajectory he was on he may well have been our captain.

I can understand Shaun may be looking for more money than we are prepared to offer or perhaps he just wants out? Although it's probably a bit selfish and nonsensical , I think he owes us something somehow. But then we de-list players all the time who give their all, what do we owe them?

But I reckon if I was Shaun, I'd want to get a couple of good seasons of injury free footy under my belt at the dogs and then look for a big contract at the dogs or elsewhere at that point.
But one swallow does not make a season and that is where it's at now. Up until now, this year he's been good. Not spectacular. His game v Geelong was a shocker, but before that his foot skills were letting him down.

It may just be that Shaun wants to stay a dog but wants to get the best deal possible from the dogs and you can't blame him for playing that game. Or someone in the premiership window wants to offer him massive cash and like Cal Ward he think he has to take it.....if so then he should take it, we need to keep our powder dry to secure this exciting young bunch coming through. That's our future.

 

[the dog's kennel]

To be honest, I don't actually mind what happens with Higgins. Think he is a great player. But I think we can cover him if he goes. And would be satisfied as long as we get decent compo. Certainly wouldn't offer any more money than we think he's worth.

 

[TedDougChris]

I quite like the fact that being dropped to the reserves isn't just a token, one week thing. You have to play well now, and hope that a spot opens up - not just go through the motions.

Higgins has had a good year and I hope he stays, but if he cannot cope with the expectations that the club has, I'm sure our recruiting guys will uncover another gem...

 

[Igloo]

I've long been a fan of Higgins, one of my favourite players, and I still think he's best 22. But in saying that, this is exactly how I feel...

To be honest, I don't actually mind what happens with Higgins. Think he is a great player. But I think we can cover him if he goes. And would be satisfied as long as we get decent compo. Certainly wouldn't offer any more money than we think he's worth.

 

[TheHoneyBadger]

He wasn't performing at AFL level and he didn't perform in the reserves, simple as that.

There could well be a more sinister reason behind him spending time in the reserves, but there's a perfectly valid reason that is tangible to us now, regardless.

I hope he hits some form and signs a new contract, he's brilliant at his best, but it wouldn't be devastating to lose him.

 

[maddog37]

He looks slow. He does put his head over the ball and I have been much happier with his effort this year in that regard. I personally believe he resents playing down back and as a result has lost some of his spark accordingly. Interesting times but I am very happy the selection committee is brave enough to make a decision of this type.

 

[True Dog]

Smoke-fire? That's all I'm saying

 

[Kelvin31]

Pfft. I don't mind if Higgins goes, has not lived up to his "potential" for various reasons (mainly injury), but when he does play he is slow, soft and completely lacks on field leadership. Finey stated on SEN last night that he had spoken to Kaider (manager) and while he didn't confirm it as fact, Finey reckons Collingwood are right into Higgins (Eade/Hahn) and that he "may be able" complement the Pies back line. Bye bye.

 

[dogzrule]

To be honest, I don't actually mind what happens with Higgins. Think he is a great player. But I think we can cover him if he goes. And would be satisfied as long as we get decent compo. Certainly wouldn't offer any more money than we think he's worth.

Totally agree we shouldn't offer over the odds, if he goes so be it, our loss will be the experience he brings. When he has been in form this year he hasn't exactly dominated a game though, therefore he is not worth the top dollar he may want.

If he goes, forward end Bontempelli, Hrovat, McCrae, Stringer, Hunter, Dahlhaus' contracts with the savings and ask them to extend additional 2 years.

Or pocket the dough and the compensation pick and go after a FA next year

 

[Clay]

Based on watching Shaun last week for Footscray, he doesn't appear to be carrying an injury.

He actually played pretty well. Not spectacularly, but was having a crack and got plenty of it (no less than you'd expect in the circumstances).

I don't think our management is in the business of dropping players because of contract negotiations. That would be inappropriate and unprofessional.

Accordingly, I'd say it's an issue relating to a part of his game at the moment... Perhaps some defensive aspect. I don't think he was dropped for poor ball usage against Geelong. Decision making, perhaps.

 

[House_of_Dahl]

If Higgins goes I'd think our compo would be early second round. That's about what we paid for Crameri.

 

[fargy]

Still can't believe people call him soft. He has had horrible injuries, puts himself in positions that he knows will get hurt and yet people still call him soft because of the way he looks.

 

[BallaratBulldog]

Would we get 2nd rounder?

I'm a bit unsure at this point about him going or staying

 

[PeteSummer]

He will either go to Hawthorn or Collingwood. He and his management have had 2 meetings with Clarkson & Eade.

 

[igloo dweller]

He will either go to Hawthorn or Collingwood. He and his management have had 2 meetings with Clarkson & Eade.

that's pretty vague, pete. meetings happen all the time between players, managers and footy departments. i'm willing to bet that the Higgins camp has had 2 meetings with JMac and BMac too...

do you have specific word that shaun is out the door, and it's just a matter of where?
or are you predicting he's on the move just because 'he's met' with other clubs'?

 

[immortalmike]

I think he'll stay. Although being dropped certainly won't help him to that end. But at the end of the day he loves the club and is the type we need. I expect him to sign before the end of the year.
Also those calling him soft and lacking leadership, 2009 called and they want their incorrect observation back.

 

[black pup]

Time's up Shaun Higgins, second round pick sounds pretty good to me. He has been overpaid and underperformed for various reasons for many seasons. He has been given to many chances for mine, his field kicking which should be his strength, in his last three games against Port, Melbourne, and Geelong, was deplorable, WHY???.
No way his he in our best 22, on his efforts this year, he was lucky to stay in WB side as long as he did, as usual my opinion does not agree with most posts on here.
But club seems to agree.

 

[TedDougChris]

I think he's clearly best 22, but he needs to continue to work hard and improve his game. He can play HBF, HFF and midfield and has demonstrated the ability to do so. Does he have flaws - yep. Does most of our side - yep.

 

[TempleKelvington]

Based on watching Shaun last week for Footscray, he doesn't appear to be carrying an injury.

He actually played pretty well. Not spectacularly, but was having a crack and got plenty of it (no less than you'd expect in the circumstances).

I don't think our management is in the business of dropping players because of contract negotiations. That would be inappropriate and unprofessional.

Accordingly, I'd say it's an issue relating to a part of his game at the moment... Perhaps some defensive aspect. I don't think he was dropped for poor ball usage against Geelong. Decision making, perhaps.

He did plenty of both that day.