Shaun Higgins

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: Shaun Higgins

what was the point of recalling anyone?

[Doc26]

Re: Shaun Higgins

Exactly how I see it. The question remains though - is an 80% fit Higgins better than the next option as a HF/high forward player?

I'd be loathe to throw Dalhaus to the wolves by making him debut against Geelong at Skilled but he seems a lively type who coudl play at senior level this year.

As much as I'd love to say yes I couldn't advocate it.
I don't believe his spirit or leadership should be in question, it's a young lad with a broken body where physically he is not able to compete or in particular, chase, weave or break any lines.

It is a real dilemma as to what the future holds for Shaun, playing him in this state just doesn't seem a viable option for Club or player.

I really feel for him.

[comrade]

Re: Shaun Higgins

I actually think it would be a risk not to play someone who has obvious leg speed and an appetite to chase and tackle in our forward 50. Our key forwards created enough crumbs tonight (many times after being outnumbered 3-1) but the opposition defenders ran it out with monotinous ease (se they invariably do against us most weeks).

Dahlhaus has attributes we desperately need, so he comes in for Higgins if I was in charge of MC. Hill might get dropped but what's the point....arguably what was the point of recalling him this week in any event?

It felt like Hawthorn had 9 defenders and we had 3 forwards in our 50 all game. How else could the ball stream out and find a loose man, over and over again.

[comrade]

Re: Shaun Higgins

As much as I'd love to say yes I couldn't advocate it.
I don't believe his spirit or leadership should be in question, it's a young lad with a broken body were physically he is not able to compete or in particular chase, weave or break any lines.

It is a real dilemma as to what the future holds for Shaun, playing him in this state just doesn't seem a viable option for Club or player.

I really feel for him.

If this is the case, why are we picking him?

[SonofScray]

Re: Shaun Higgins

Have to be careful Rocco. Football and the subsequent discussions it produces are no place for emotion, humour, or personal opinion. You must tow the party line!

I think all fans recognise the impact that injury has had on Shaun, however, you can only deal with what is produced and at this point in time he is producing a whole heap of shit. Talent, leadership, potential or not, at some point in time you have to push him aside and play someone else who is not not so inhibited. Hopefully he can get his body right and be the player we all expected, right now though he isn't and we can't afford to be carrying him.

I am happy to turn most of my frustrations towards those that keep selecting him.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Shaun Higgins

If this is the case, why are we picking him?

It's hard to tell without being in house (truly not a stab at our prior discussions, just truly a case where that's true, don't know how fit he is etc) but I think we are/were trying to be as competitive as possible.

No logical person can have a go at Eade atm for not playing kids. It's folly to play too many kids/throwing them to the wolves and the like. I agree with them giving Higgins a crack. Thing is, he really does seem to be counter productive as a leader at the moment.

[Mantis]

Re: Shaun Higgins

I don't believe his spirit or leadership should be in question, it's a young lad with a broken body where physically he is not able to compete or in particular, chase, weave or break any lines.

It is a real dilemma as to what the future holds for Shaun, playing him in this state just doesn't seem a viable option for Club or player.

I really feel for him.

That's a cop out Doc.

We have babies in this team who need nurturing, they don't need to be berated by there colleagues who should no better... The fact that the 'leaders' aren't practicing what they preach doesn't sit well with me.

[Doc26]

Re: Shaun Higgins

If this is the case, why are we picking him?

In short, I don't know.

Possibly because as a leader he is trying valiantly to push through it and each week somewhat admirably keeps putting his hand up to play.

As a supporter of Shaun's it's really hard to accept that what should be a flourishing AFL career is being cut short because his body keeps failing him.

I suggest the MC would be really grappling with what to do with this ongoing predicament.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Shaun Higgins

That's a cop out Doc.

Wa have babies in this team who need nurturing, they don't need to be berated by there colleagues who should no better... The fact that the 'leaders' aren't practicing what they preach doesn't sit well with me.

Exactly. Even if his body is totally gone and he can't move, is that any reason to bake others?

[Sedat]

Re: Shaun Higgins

The fact that the 'leaders' aren't practicing what they preach doesn't sit well with me.

For Rocket's sake, I hope he doesn't fall on his sword because of his leaders.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Shaun Higgins

For Rocket's sake, I hope he doesn't fall on his sword because of his leaders.

I agree. I think I have been harsh on Rocket lately but something's got to give. It's either Eade or the leadership group. I am a much bigger fan of Eade than I am our leadership group but if he doesn't make some real changes, the buck simply has to stop with him.

[Mantis]

Re: Shaun Higgins

For Rocket's sake, I hope he doesn't fall on his sword because of his leaders.

It's a bit like 'Get them before they get you'.

[Doc26]

Re: Shaun Higgins

That's a cop out Doc.

We have babies in this team who need nurturing, they don't need to be berated by there colleagues who should no better... The fact that the 'leaders' aren't practicing what they preach doesn't sit well with me.

Maybe it is a cop out as all things being equal he should be supporting the 'babies' in his leadership capacity.

Maybe I'm reading way too much into it and will be proven wrong but to me tonight's game just appeared a watershed for Shaun.

The restriction in his movement was simply so evident to suggest his days, at least this season, must be limited. The realisation of this for Shaun must be incredibly difficult to reconcile with.

I'm just struggling to kick him while he's down.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Shaun Higgins

I think we should keep Shaun in the side but remove the leadership role. Get him to concentrate on footy and getting himself right first. He is actually a gun player with vision and silky skills, he is worth persisting with.

[SonofScray]

Re: Shaun Higgins

If Rocket did make some big calls along those lines, I'd probably give my thoughts around the need to sack him a rethink.