Western Bulldogs dilemma on injured Shaun Higgins

[BulldogBelle]

Injuries .....

Western Bulldogs dilemma on injured Shaun Higgins
Adelaide Now
Jay Clark | May 23, 2009

WESTERN Bulldogs class act Shaun Higgins could miss up to six games with a recurring groin problem. The emerging 21-year-old star would be helped by a lengthy spell after re-injuring his troublesome adductor muscle against Geelong on Friday night.

But Higgins could also battle on and carry the injury into games.

He made a bright start with six first-term possessions against the Cats, but trailed off as the injury took hold in the last three quarters of the thrilling two-point loss.

It is understood Higgins wants to defy the pain and restriction of the problem and play on, delaying the break he needs until after the season, for the benefit of the team.

But the possibility of that leading to a more severe osteitis pubis problem is likely to ensure the Dogs give Higgins the time off he needs.

Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia insisted Higgins's complaint was "nothing out of the ordinary".

But the superb finisher was forced to seek constant medical treatment throughout his first game back from a two-week spell for the same problem and is known to have pulled up sore.

Sports medicine expert Peter Larkins said the youngster looked to aggravate his adductor injury and was likely to need four to six weeks off.

"He would have been feeling very ordinary and, clearly, he was restricted in the second half," Larkins said.

"But he was being brave about it and doing his best to play on, but it was not doing him any good.

"I know the Bulldogs were disappointed about it and clearly you can tell he is facing more time out."

The news is a major blow to the Bulldogs with defender Lindsay Gilbee also in doubt for Saturday's clash against Sydney with a lower leg problem.

It is feared the backman has a crack in his fibula bone.

Higgins is wanted by new club Gold Coast, but his management is in talks about a new, long-term deal with the Dogs.

Any long-term stint on the sidelines would have huge SuperCoach ramifications.

Higgins is clearly the most picked player in the competition as he sits in almost 180,000 teams.

He has averaged almost 100 SuperCoach points a game this year.

[BulldogBelle]

Higgins is wanted by new club Gold Coast, but his management is in talks about a new, long-term deal with the Dogs.

Now thats what l like to see.

[Desipura]

Injuries .....

Western Bulldogs dilemma on injured Shaun Higgins
Adelaide Now
Jay Clark | May 23, 2009

WESTERN Bulldogs class act Shaun Higgins could miss up to six games with a recurring groin problem. The emerging 21-year-old star would be helped by a lengthy spell after re-injuring his troublesome adductor muscle against Geelong on Friday night.

But Higgins could also battle on and carry the injury into games.

He made a bright start with six first-term possessions against the Cats, but trailed off as the injury took hold in the last three quarters of the thrilling two-point loss.

It is understood Higgins wants to defy the pain and restriction of the problem and play on, delaying the break he needs until after the season, for the benefit of the team.

But the possibility of that leading to a more severe osteitis pubis problem is likely to ensure the Dogs give Higgins the time off he needs.

Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia insisted Higgins's complaint was "nothing out of the ordinary".

But the superb finisher was forced to seek constant medical treatment throughout his first game back from a two-week spell for the same problem and is known to have pulled up sore.

Sports medicine expert Peter Larkins said the youngster looked to aggravate his adductor injury and was likely to need four to six weeks off.

"He would have been feeling very ordinary and, clearly, he was restricted in the second half," Larkins said.

"But he was being brave about it and doing his best to play on, but it was not doing him any good.

"I know the Bulldogs were disappointed about it and clearly you can tell he is facing more time out."

The news is a major blow to the Bulldogs with defender Lindsay Gilbee also in doubt for Saturday's clash against Sydney with a lower leg problem.

It is feared the backman has a crack in his fibula bone.

Higgins is wanted by new club Gold Coast, but his management is in talks about a new, long-term deal with the Dogs.

Any long-term stint on the sidelines would have huge SuperCoach ramifications.

Higgins is clearly the most picked player in the competition as he sits in almost 180,000 teams.

He has averaged almost 100 SuperCoach points a game this year.

With Higgins and Murphy out we need another lead up forward. Welsh does not have the stamina to play this role. I would say its time for Grant to be played again however some have some doubts on his fitness as well! Tiller perhaps?

[LostDoggy]

I mentioned Tiller to my father on Friday night, not so how he would go, but an interesting suggestion.

Good to hear about Higgins & the club preparing for a new long term deal.

[ledge]

Lake and Tiller up forward, we are already using Morris on the best forward and Harbrow kicking out, Everitt, Hargrave cover the taller ones, need to back ouselves and run now, just out score them, thats when we are at our best.
Maybe one of our rucks drop back to help out when resting.
Gilbee a blow though.
I know a lot of Eagle haters here but how about Eagle on a back flank, run off using his raking left foot the same way Gilbee does.

[Topdog]

Rest him now and he only needs to miss 3 games and can have 4 weeks rest.

We have some very winnable games coming up with the Swans in Canberra, Richmond at the Dome and Port in Darwin. We don't need him now, we need him in September.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Rest him, give him as long as he needs.

Half a season at full speed is better than a whole season at 1/2 speed.

[The Coon Dog]

Half a season at full speed is better than a whole season at 1/2 speed.

Could just imagine this coming from Guru Bob on the Coodabeens.

[Mofra]

Rest him, give him as long as he needs.

Half a season at full speed is better than a whole season at 1/2 speed.

Couldn't agree more. Higgins fully fit for the finals should be the priority.

[Ozza]

The club simply must send him to the bloke from Donald who is the guru and sorted out Judd's problems. (Can't remember his surname but...) Alan now gets brought down to Melbourne from Donald by Carlton and Collingwood (and used by Richmond also) to treat their players - and can sort out OP in two sessions. The bloke is a genius and the club is incompetent if they don't use him.

[alwaysadog]

Not sure this article is very well sourced. My mail is that he's a chance to play this week, certainly not the semi invalid the author would have us believe. Only time will tell whose source is the more accurate.