Opinion Higgins: On the outer or on the move?

[stefoid]

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.

Not to do with Higgo per se, but I think people take 'soft' and 'poor contest skills' to be the same thing when they are not.

What we want is players who win contests. Higgo is average in that area. Wood or Morris seem almost unbeatable against appropriately sized opponents.

 

[BEaston]

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.

one of the few times I'd agree with you mate!!

 

[flipper83]

I think people are underselling Higgins a bit. He's only 26 and has not really had a chance to build up solid form but when up and running he is a great player. I think you'd be happy drafting a player of Higgins quality with an early second rounder and the chance of a second rounder being a bust is far higher. I'd prefer to keep Higgins if we would only get around pick 28 for him. If the compensation were band 2 and the pick was around 20 I might start to consider it.

If however we got pick 20 and could trade it for Jacksh that would be a good result because I can't see us landing him with our second rounder with carlton finishing below us.

 

[RedWhite&Blue]

I reckon we should definitely keep Higgo and play him deep forward. Deadly accurate from set shots - excellent kicking technique.
His talent is kicking goals - utilise his talents.

 

[go you pups]

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 played in the guts in the 2nd half (I didn't watch the 1st half) perhaps it was for him to get some football and win his own ball fair and square, I'm happy if he goes and we get solid compo for him, it's the 1st season since 2007 that he's had injury-free or thyroiditis-free.

 

[lachy]

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.

In general agree with your post, certainly on current from is not in the best 22. At his stage can he develop, improve or add consistency? If not would not match an offer that would attract a second round pick or better

 

[theAthenian]

If you stack up on one side "potential" vs "actual" and factor in age and injury and you do that whilst not wearing redwhiteandblue colored glasses
the conclusion is DONT LET THE DOOR HIT YOU ON THE BUM ON THE WAY OUT

NO more excuses
One of the greatest dissapointments in the last 10 years.
use the money to front load the pups contracts and lure a consistent and dedicated proffesional

 

[lachy]

If you stack up on one side "potential" vs "actual" and factor in age and injury and you do that whilst not wearing redwhiteandblue colored glasses
the conclusion is DONT LET THE DOOR HIT YOU ON THE BUM ON THE WAY OUT

NO more excuses
One of the greatest dissapointments in the last 10 years.
use the money to front load the pups contracts and lure a consistent and dedicated proffesional

Whilst a few subjective comments in the post I may disagree with, the general sentiment I do agree with.

Not is the best 22 currently and really see quite a few who will be clearly ahead unless consistency is improved. I keep reading about silky skills, good yes, silky ..........

However, if he is given the opportunity at the right price no issues at all

 

[fronkalicious]

I reckon we should definitely keep Higgo and play him deep forward. Deadly accurate from set shots - excellent kicking technique.
His talent is kicking goals - utilise his talents.

Forward pressure is pretty poor. I think half-back suits him perfectly, and he was having an excellent season up until 3 weeks ago. You don't just toss out quality players for draft picks in the 20s. The likelihood of a player in the 20s being as good as Higgins is low. No question. And he gives us leadership and quality ball use. 2 things we need. Keep him for the right price I say.

 

[Mutt]

...the conclusion is DONT LET THE DOOR HIT YOU ON THE BUM ON THE WAY OUT
NO more excuses
One of the greatest dissapointments in the last 10 years.
use the money to front load the pups contracts and lure a consistent and dedicated proffesional

Not sure that there is any reason to be that disrespectful to Higgins.

And why is it that the guys that are so adamant that we must sack our coach can't spell the word professional?

 

[King Harold]

My god , some of the stuff on this board is mind numbing.
Of course life will go on without Higgins , and he had a shocker against Geelong , but his season has been more than ok up until then. He may never be what we wanted , but if he ends at another club , I can see it now --- a 26 Yr old entering his prime and and being a very good player for someone else.

 

[1961grandfinal]

I can see it now --- a 26 Yr old entering his prime and and being a very good player for someone else.

Over the years, been to a few pre season intra club games and the big mover/most impressive was Higgo, buffed and very smooth. Unfortunately he was injured so many times but his first quarter of the prelim when we went forward through him was what we wanted. Problem is, how many times has he delivered?
Interesting that he is not back in this week considering his experience, value in the past etc etc but maybe the way the game has changed with the press and sling shot does not suit his style of play.

 

[theAthenian]

Not sure that there is any reason to be that disrespectful to Higgins.

And why is it that the guys that are so adamant that we must our coach can't spell the word professional?

Disrespectful to Higgins?
For 8 years he has promised and not delivered = list clogger
Silky skills at training and pre season = big woopie do
Consistency zero
bad luck sure
life is full of it

Disrespectful is holding a club to ranson for big money
after having offered absolutely nothing ... but promise
He's not stupid, he knows the situation of the list
and as always (and i base this on watching him time and time again on the football field) Shaun Higgins will try to do whats best for Shaun Higgins
bugger the team, bugger his teamates, bugger the clubs supporters!

As we say in the land of socrates and plato

"You can be a c*nt, just dont be a C*ntrag!"

If what the media says is true
you're being a c*ntrag Mr Higgins

 

[black pup]

Truth and facts don't go down to well on BF. There are a lot of these blokes who look at these blokes through rose coloured glasses. We operate in a professional business. ( spelling professional that's another way at having a go at somebody, that does not agree. Disgraceful.)They call me aggressive, most of the time it is only having a different point of view. Higgins is a non performer, for a highly paid senior player, lets not beat around the bush, his season has been very ordinary. The normal BF Click, who all agree with each other on nearly all subjects, will be in shock horror about that statement. Lol.

Disrespectful to Higgins?
For 8 years he has promised and not delivered = list clogger
Silky skills at training and pre season = big woopie do
Consistency zero
bad luck sure
life is full of it

Disrespectful is holding a club to ranson for big money
after having offered absolutely nothing ... but promise
He's not stupid, he knows the situation of the list
and as always (and i base this on watching him time and time again on the football field) Shaun Higgins will try to do whats best for Shaun Higgins
bugger the team, bugger his teamates, bugger the clubs supporters!

As we say in the land of socrates and plato

"You can be a c*nt, just dont be a C*ntrag!"

If what the media says is true
you're being a c*ntrag Mr Higgins

tdp

 

[Marcus_Antonius]

Disrespectful to Higgins?
For 8 years he has promised and not delivered = list clogger
Silky skills at training and pre season = big woopie do
Consistency zero
bad luck sure
life is full of it

Disrespectful is holding a club to ranson for big money
after having offered absolutely nothing ... but promise
He's not stupid, he knows the situation of the list
and as always (and i base this on watching him time and time again on the football field) Shaun Higgins will try to do whats best for Shaun Higgins
bugger the team, bugger his teamates, bugger the clubs supporters!

As we say in the land of socrates and plato

"You can be a c*nt, just dont be a C*ntrag!"

If what the media says is true
you're being a c*ntrag Mr Higgins

For crying out loud, what is it with you and Socrates and Plato? You do realise that mentioning long did philosophers means absolutely nothing. I'm currently in the land of Hayes and Smith, therefore I know what the market value of Higgins is.

 

[TedDougChris]

Truth and facts don't go down to well on BF. There are a lot of these blokes who look at these blokes through rose coloured glasses. We operate in a professional business. ( spelling professional that's another way at having a go at somebody, that does not agree. Disgraceful.)They call me aggressive, most of the time it is only having a different point of view. Higgins is a non performer, for a highly paid senior player, lets not beat around the bush, his season has been very ordinary. The normal BF Click, who all agree with each other on nearly all subjects, will be in shock horror about that statement. Lol.

tdp

I think the average salary for an AFL player is around 350K (from memory). I think I've read on here that North are offering 450K, we are offering 350K. We might move a little. In this respect, Higgins is not a highly paid player. He's just the norm for an AFL player.

His season this year is fine, given his injury history. He's played nearly all the games this year, he hasn't missed any from memory. He's been a good distributor off half back and better defensively than I expected. Still improvement needed.

If he leaves, so be it. If he stays, he's clearly in the starting 22 for next year, or he'll have to earn his place like he is doing now.

 

[The Standfield Principle]

S Higgins represents all that is wrong with our club. He has provided years of mediocre performances- he has been selected without question ;yet still he has apparently not committed to renewing a contract with our club . Anyone who was actually at Western Oval last Saturday would have observed a very ordinary performance from our number #7 and might I add from our number #1.

The sooner this type of player is out of our club-and customers like our current numbers 21 , 26 , 24 , 14, 23 , 38, 4 , 2, 6, 27 are setting the standard the better for mine.

 

[TedDougChris]

S Higgins represents all that is wrong with our club. He has provided years of mediocre performances- he has been selected without question ;yet still he has apparently not committed to renewing a contract with our club . Anyone who was actually at Western Oval last Saturday would have observed a very ordinary performance from our number #7 and might I add from our number #1.

The sooner this type of player is out of our club-and customers like our current numbers 21 , 26 , 24 , 14, 23 , 38, 4 , 2, 6, 27 are setting the standard the better for mine.

I think you're being a bit harsh here in some respects, we'll never know what could have been with Higgins (or Williams for example) due to injury. But I get where you are coming from in some respects. I can understand the frustration from fans who see him as collecting a massive salary (compared to the average man) while not actually playing and then not committing to the club.

And I agree with the bold section a little more. Not specifically for Higgins, but I can soon see the average guy on our list (Dickson, Stevens, Austin, maybe even Grant if he doesn't pull his finger out etc) very soon replaced by the new breed - hungry, talented and young.. And this can only bode well for the future...

 

[black pup]

I think the average salary for an AFL player is around 350K (from memory). I think I've read on here that North are offering 450K, we are offering 350K. We might move a little. In this respect, Higgins is not a highly paid player. He's just the norm for an AFL player.

His season this year is fine, given his injury history. He's played nearly all the games this year, he hasn't missed any from memory. He's been a good distributor off half back and better defensively than I expected. Still improvement needed.

If he leaves, so be it. If he stays, he's clearly in the starting 22 for next year, or he'll have to earn his place like he is doing now.

I think you will find the average wage for an AFL footballer, is below 250k, there are about 8 players on a million plus and so on, 5 year average on senior AFL list, not quite as good as you may believe.

 

[BRG93]

Bye Bye!

 

[fargy]

Truth and facts don't go down to well on BF. There are a lot of these blokes who look at these blokes through rose coloured glasses. We operate in a professional business. ( spelling professional that's another way at having a go at somebody, that does not agree. Disgraceful.)They call me aggressive, most of the time it is only having a different point of view. Higgins is a non performer, for a highly paid senior player, lets not beat around the bush, his season has been very ordinary. The normal BF Click, who all agree with each other on nearly all subjects, will be in shock horror about that statement. Lol.

tdp

I think Higgins had a very good year up until 2 weeks before being dropped. I'm not part of any clique but admit I am usually a bit overly optimistic about all our players at times. And I don't think I've ever been aggressive towards you, we agree on some things and not on others and that's what the forum is all about. Whether I agree or disagree I'll always respect your opinion. I think the point about the standard of Higgins year may differ from person to person given what they want to see from him, just my two cents

 

[TedDougChris]

I think you will find the average wage for an AFL footballer, is below 250k, there are about 8 players on a million plus and so on, 5 year average on senior AFL list, not quite as good as you may believe.

Just checked and you are closer than I am. Best data I can find at short notice...

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...alary-now-265179/story-fni5f22o-1226834339957

The average AFL player salary last season was $265,179 - up $13,620 or 5.4 per cent on the 2012 average.

So 350K is slightly above average, given the spead of salaries.

 

[Mutt]

I don't understand the hate for Higgins from some on here. It seems to me that he's got his body right and was having a reasonable season until a few weeks ago. I don't want to see us overpay him or anyone on our list, but why the hate?

For those who think Higgins is being paid an obscene amount of money - what is his contact worth? Does anyone on here have a source to confirm his current contract remuneration?

 

[TedDougChris]

For those who think Higgins is being paid an obscene amount of money - what is his contact worth? Does anyone on here have a source to confirm his current contract remuneration?

the numbers I used above were my recollection of what I've seen posted elsewhere on here, but that or my recollection of it could be wrong..

 

[Mutt]

the numbers I used above were my recollection of what I've seen posted elsewhere on here, but that or my recollection of it could be wrong..

$280k as the AFL average probably means that a player on the fringe of best 22, for a club paying 100% of the cap, will be paid around that $280k mark.

Hasn't it been reported on here that we are offering Higgins $325-$350k? If that's true, then when compared to the average salary of $280k for a fringe 22 player, we are offering Higgins about what he is worth...surely?