chef
04-12-2010, 05:42 PM
WESTERN Bulldogs forward Shaun Higgins is looking to leave 2010 behind him after finally overcoming a five-month battle with thyroiditis.
The 22-year-old missed the Dogs' semi- and preliminary finals because the debilitating illness had hampered his contribution in the qualifying final loss to Collingwood.
However, Higgins returned a clear blood test two weeks ago; his first since his August diagnosis.
"I feel a lot better in myself, as good as I've felt in a long time and running well so everything is on track and going nicely," he told afl.com.au before the Dogs' pre-season training trip to New Zealand.
"It was a tough situation and I personally didn't know anything about it. Not a lot of people my age get that sort of illness.
"It was one of those things and it will probably never happen again."
It was in the middle of the season that Higgins noticed a lack of energy and greater fatigue, but put it down to the usual demands on his body.
Dramatic weight loss and a rising heart rate ahead of the finals saw him sent for blood tests and put on supplements to regulate his pulse.
"We didn't know exactly what way to go about it or what needed to be done," he said.
"It was just something that flared up because of a few reasons, when you get run down or you're carrying other injuries.
"I probably just needed some time off, which I was able to get at the end of the season for it to really help itself."
Higgins hurt his calf in round 20 against Geelong, but the illness had a greater bearing on him being sidelined for the next two rounds.
He returned to the top level via the VFL but struggled to find energy in the final against the Magpies.
Even after the Dogs bowed out of the premiership race, Higgins didn't feel quite right.
It seems a trip to the USA with his girlfriend and teammates and a few weeks back in training has been the remedy.
He has gained eight kilos since the middle of the year and has his sights on the NAB Cup competition and round one.
"It's amazing how quickly you can turn the corner," Higgins said.
"It was so frustrating because it wasn't really a football injury and you don't know where you're at.
"You do an ankle and you know the time frame of when you'll come back.
"But it's one of those things that happens. I'll continue to have blood tests and hopefully I can carry this fitness into next season and things will start to turn around for me."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/105911/default.aspx
The 22-year-old missed the Dogs' semi- and preliminary finals because the debilitating illness had hampered his contribution in the qualifying final loss to Collingwood.
However, Higgins returned a clear blood test two weeks ago; his first since his August diagnosis.
"I feel a lot better in myself, as good as I've felt in a long time and running well so everything is on track and going nicely," he told afl.com.au before the Dogs' pre-season training trip to New Zealand.
"It was a tough situation and I personally didn't know anything about it. Not a lot of people my age get that sort of illness.
"It was one of those things and it will probably never happen again."
It was in the middle of the season that Higgins noticed a lack of energy and greater fatigue, but put it down to the usual demands on his body.
Dramatic weight loss and a rising heart rate ahead of the finals saw him sent for blood tests and put on supplements to regulate his pulse.
"We didn't know exactly what way to go about it or what needed to be done," he said.
"It was just something that flared up because of a few reasons, when you get run down or you're carrying other injuries.
"I probably just needed some time off, which I was able to get at the end of the season for it to really help itself."
Higgins hurt his calf in round 20 against Geelong, but the illness had a greater bearing on him being sidelined for the next two rounds.
He returned to the top level via the VFL but struggled to find energy in the final against the Magpies.
Even after the Dogs bowed out of the premiership race, Higgins didn't feel quite right.
It seems a trip to the USA with his girlfriend and teammates and a few weeks back in training has been the remedy.
He has gained eight kilos since the middle of the year and has his sights on the NAB Cup competition and round one.
"It's amazing how quickly you can turn the corner," Higgins said.
"It was so frustrating because it wasn't really a football injury and you don't know where you're at.
"You do an ankle and you know the time frame of when you'll come back.
"But it's one of those things that happens. I'll continue to have blood tests and hopefully I can carry this fitness into next season and things will start to turn around for me."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/105911/default.aspx