Shaun Higgins

[LostDoggy]

I apologise if there is another thread on this already, but i have been watching Higgins for quite sometime now and have come to the opinion that he is overrated and is a soft show pony. The fact that he was given Scott West's number 7 counts for nothing and he is so far from showing any of the grit / hardness that Westy showed over his career, it is not funny.

He has great skills, yes, but when was the last time that he was named in our bests? When was the last time that he had a significant impact on winning a game for us? When was the last time you saw him win a really hard contested ball?

Maybe my criticism of him is mis-guided as i have mainly been watching him on TV coverage, but really whenever i see him, he is getting beaten in a contested ball situation through a lack of hardness, or he is looking good running out in the open. If he is really part of our leadership group and a future captain - he is really going to have to develop a harder edge to his game.

I thought he was terrible against Essendon and I would hate to think that we would ever be looking to him to give us some real drive and match winning ability. Cooney / Griffen / Picken / Boyd are all so far ahead of him.

Am i on my own with this criticism as i have only ever heard Dogs fans praising him and saying how silky he is?

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Shaun Higgins

I apologise if there is another thread on this already, but i have been watching Higgins for quite sometime now and have come to the opinion that he is overrated and is a soft show pony. The fact that he was given Scott West's number 7 counts for nothing and he is so far from showing any of the grit / hardness that Westy showed over his career, it is not funny.

If his body was right the 'soft show pony' call wouldn't be far off the mark but it clearly looks like he is carrying a dodgy groin and looks very limited in his running. It's always easier to run forward but I think by the time the ball is turned out he is spent and really struggles to apply defensive pressure.

Whatever the problem is, he looks a liability when the opposition gains the ball in our back half. He is only running one way at the moment and I think it's pretty clear to the oppositon.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Shaun Higgins

I have thought for a while that he is lazy, he doesn't offer anything on the defensive side of things.

Whether or not it's because he is carry an injury, i am not so sure. If he is carrying an injury, then the coaching panel aren't doing him any favours. At the end of the day, if you cross the white line then your fit to play.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Shaun Higgins

I have thought for a while that he is lazy, he doesn't offer anything on the defensive side of things.

Whether or not it's because he is carry an injury, i am not so sure. If he is carrying an injury, then the coaching panel aren't doing him any favours. At the end of the day, if you cross the white line then your fit to play.

I second this..

If he (or anyone for that fact) is injured rest them - it is too much of a risk to carried injuried players.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Shaun Higgins

I would fail to see why the selection committee would play anyone if/when he is not close to 100% in a home & away game, where he is not a hugely important player. And that is just my point - he isnt an important player for us because he hasnt been a regular performer for us. I cant remember the last time that he was in our bests (maybe it is just my bad memory). When did he last play a game where he won regular contested possessions?

It is just so frustrating when you see a player with all the skills, who was provided with a leadership role early in his career and the opportunity to really make his mark, when he fails to dig deep and have a red hot go. There is no hardness in his game at all.

I saw footage last night of Eade taking him aside at 3qtr time - i have no idea what he said to him, but it should have been: toughen up and make a mark on the game! If you consider yourself a future captain of the club - the first thing you need to show us is that you want to set a good example.

I am not just looking at last nights game in isolation as there were plenty of other guys down on their game, but Higgins has been a concern for a while as far as i have seen it!

Thats my rant over.....

[chef]

Re: Shaun Higgins

I have thought for a while that he is lazy, he doesn't offer anything on the defensive side of things.

Whether or not it's because he is carry an injury, i am not so sure. If he is carrying an injury, then the coaching panel aren't doing him any favours. At the end of the day, if you cross the white line then your fit to play.

My thoughts too. He shouldn't be out there if he isn't fit enough to contribute meaningfully.

[EasternWest]

Re: Shaun Higgins

Higgins is an incredible footballer who simply doesn't work hard enough, and is prone to not committing to a contest.

I think the softer sides of his games are fortunately those that can be worked on and so I believe he will develop in those areas as he matures.

He's clearly injured right now and should be rested.

[Greystache]

Re: Shaun Higgins

If he's injured he shouldn't play next week, if the club think he's fine he should be playing for Willi next week.

His game last night was one of the worst performances by a suppossed senior player in recent memory. He had a direct hand in 4 or 5 of Essendons goals.

[boydogs]

Re: Shaun Higgins

Shaun Higgins = Gary Ablett jnr circa 2006?

[cinder]

Re: Shaun Higgins

I had high hopes for Higgins. I think the has the potential to be great but I do think he has an injury problem at the moment. Sometimes I get the feeling he doesn't quite seem to give it 100% but I would hope that's due to the injury.

[Bornadog]

Re: Shaun Higgins

IF he is injured, then don't play him. He has not had a good season to date.

[Topdog]

Re: Shaun Higgins

Shaun Higgins = Gary Ablett jnr circa 2006?

no..

[chef]

Re: Shaun Higgins

Shaun Higgins = Gary Ablett jnr circa 2006?

I wish.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Shaun Higgins

Everyone including the media says that he is a champion. Im yet to see this and I think Higgins himself thinks it without ever doing the hard things.Overrated and a blugger!!!

[LostDoggy]

Re: Shaun Higgins

Everyone including the media says that he is a champion. Im yet to see this and I think Higgins himself thinks it without ever doing the hard things.Overrated and a blugger!!!

Wouldn't read much into that, they all thought Nathan Brown was as well.