Shaun Higgins set for Magpies

[The Coon Dog]

Sam Landsberger - Herald Sun - 26 August

http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2010/08/18/1225907/038308-shaun-higgins.jpg

WESTERN Bulldog Shaun Higgins has escaped his club's cramped medical room and is set to return against Collingwood in next week's qualifying final.

Higgins, who has battled a thyroid illness and a strained calf for two weeks, will play for VFL affiliate Williamstown in its final against Port Melbourne tomorrow.

The 22-year-old has been named at half- forward and is also listed as the Bulldogs first emergency for their match against Essendon tomorrow night.

Article in full... (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/shaun-higgins-set-for-magpies/story-e6frf9jf-1225910629603)

[bornadog]

We are playing a dead rubber on Saturday, why would you play him at Willi?

[boydogs]

We are playing a dead rubber on Saturday, why would you play him at Willi?

I agree. Play the side we will have in finals

[Remi Moses]

Heard a whisper tonight Didak's shoulder injury might be more serious than they're letting on!
Presti would have to be in doubt with a blod clot on his thigh.

[becmatty]

Heard a whisper tonight Didak's shoulder injury might be more serious than they're letting on!
Presti would have to be in doubt with a blod clot on his thigh.

Presti cancels out Morris, Didak cancels out Cooney - we on level terms then?

[ratsmac]

I hope he is fully fit and not the fit that he has been playing all year. I love higgo but this year when he hasn't been 100%, he has been a liablity. His skills really drop off when he is struggling. Although we are probably better off taking the risk with him in hope of the return of his finals form.

[MrMahatma]

Presti cancels out Morris, Didak cancels out Cooney - we on level terms then?
Just what I was thinking.

Presti would be a good out. With him gone Hall would def kick a few!

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Didak and Presti out would make it a pretty interesting game. Both extremely important players to their set-up.

As for Higgins, I can't see him turning it around this year. Probably worth another try though if he's over that problem.

[The Underdog]

Presti cancels out Morris, Didak cancels out Cooney - we on level terms then?

No, not really. Yes the 2 lock down defenders cancel each other out somewhat, but Didak is nowhere near as important to their midfield as Cooney is to ours. Collingwood have multiple guys who can approximate if not equal what Didak does from within the team. We have maybe one (Griffen) who has the skill set that Cooney does and he'll be sat on big time.
It certainly would be a plus for us if Collingwood also have injuries but no, I don't think these cancel each other out.

[The Underdog]

Just what I was thinking.

Presti would be a good out. With him gone Hall would def kick a few!

If we can win the ball out of the middle and deliver it to him enough, which is no sure thing.

[LostDoggy]

No, not really. Yes the 2 lock down defenders cancel each other out somewhat, but Didak is nowhere near as important to their midfield as Cooney is to ours. Collingwood have multiple guys who can approximate if not equal what Didak does from within the team. We have maybe one (Griffen) who has the skill set that Cooney does and he'll be sat on big time.
It certainly would be a plus for us if Collingwood also have injuries but no, I don't think these cancel each other out.

No way.

Didak is the cream on the man-cake that is Swan, Pendles, Jolly and the two kids. Without him they are tough, uncompromising, reasonably quick and workmanlike, characteristics matched well by Boyd, Cross, Picken and Griff. Didak is the creative spark they've always needed in there (sublime kicking skills), without which they fall back quickly to the pack ie. Cooney for us.

Mick will probably move Davis into the middle now to provide some bang.

[Desipura]

Mick will probably move Davis into the middle now to provide some bang.
I hope so as he always kicks goals against us!

[Cyberdoggie]

We are playing a dead rubber on Saturday, why would you play him at Willi?

In all seriousness, the VFL grudge match final against Port may well be a tougher game than the bombers game. I know the Port boys will be tackling a lot harder than the bombers.

[choconmientay]

Heard a whisper tonight Didak's shoulder injury might be more serious than they're letting on!
Presti would have to be in doubt with a blod clot on his thigh.

My feeling is that they are just "resting" Didak for him to be ready against us? He perform really well the last 2 times we met :(

[bornadog]

In all seriousness, the VFL grudge match final against Port may well be a tougher game than the bombers game. I know the Port boys will be tackling a lot harder than the bombers.

Yep and more chance to cop another injury:(

[mighty_west]

Yep and more chance to cop another injury:(

It may also toughen the boys up, and a chance to lift the intensity levels required for finals footy, without it, whatever sneaking chance there is left, will be smashed if we don't lift.

We just have to smash the finals series with a ruthlessness rarely seen at kennel in recent years come September!

[boydogs]

No way.

Didak is the cream on the man-cake that is Swan, Pendles, Jolly and the two kids. Without him they are tough, uncompromising, reasonably quick and workmanlike, characteristics matched well by Boyd, Cross, Picken and Griff. Didak is the creative spark they've always needed in there (sublime kicking skills), without which they fall back quickly to the pack ie. Cooney for us.

Mick will probably move Davis into the middle now to provide some bang.


I hope so as he always kicks goals against us!

Davis isn't playing this week - form, injury or rested?

[Remi Moses]

My feeling is that they are just "resting" Didak for him to be ready against us? He perform really well the last 2 times we met :(

Hopefully Hawthorn will be at their unsociable best and give the Pies a tough game.

[Desipura]

Davis isn't playing this week - form, injury or rested?
Unless he is injured next week, IMHO he will play.

[boydogs]

Unless he is injured next week, IMHO he will play.

Late inclusion today, so you are probably right