cino
SotS Media Liaison
Joined: 11 Feb 2007
Posts: 2145
Location: Stuck between South and West
|
 Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 6:19 am Post subject: Young Dog in his best shape |
 |
|
Please don't jinx him... *prays* Wasn't aware he moved to No 7, it's probably been posted everywhere but this is the firs real article I've read since we finished up last year. Footy not far away now.
...but lovin' this warm weather a bit too much so can wait for footy for now ;)
| Quote: | Young Dog in his best shape
Rebecca Williams | January 13, 2009 12:00am
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,24910523-19775,00.html
SEASON one: dislocated elbow. Season two: shoulder surgery. Season three: ankle reconstruction. Season four?
Western Bulldogs forward Shaun Higgins is certainly hoping for a smooth ride after his first three years in the AFL were struck by injury.
Since arriving at Whitten Oval in the 2005 draft, injuries have restricted Higgins to 32 games, but he feels his fortunes are turning.
The signs look good for Higgins this summer, with the 20-year-old impressing with his pre-season form.
"It's definitely the best shape that I have got myself into since I've been at the club," Higgins said after slugging it out in the heat yesterday. "In the off-season, I didn't have any surgery so I was able to get myself in reasonable nick and then I've come into the pre-season ready to go."
Higgins lasted 13 rounds in his debut year 2006 before a dislocated elbow ended his season.
In 2007, he played every game to Round 20 before heading in for a shoulder reconstruction.
But his biggest setback came last season when he badly injured his ankle in Round 2. Initially, Higgins thought he had rolled his ankle, but scans showed bone damage that required surgery. And there was another surprise.
"One minute I had damaged a bit of bone and I had to get that removed," Higgins said. "But when I woke up (from the surgery), I found out that I'd had to have a full ankle reconstruction.
"That was obviously a massive setback from where I thought I was going to be."
Higgins admitted his 18 games on the sidelines were "pretty tough", but the lure of finals kept him going during his rehabilitation.
He returned to play in the Dogs' three finals.
"Doing it in Round 2, you've had a full pre-season and you have put a lot of work in," he said. "Then you get injured and it's frustrating that you've pretty much got to do another pre-season to get back.
"Lucky enough for me, we had finals to focus on and I was able to get back in time for that. That was my main goal the whole time I was in rehab.
"When Rocket (coach Rodney Eade) said that I was playing in that first final against Hawthorn, it was probably one of the highlights of my career so far."
Higgins was thankful for the time he spent with club great Scott West while the pair was injured.
He will now wear West's famous No. 7 jumper.
"He was a massive help for me getting me back in time to play finals, he really pushed me in my rehab," he said.
"It's a massive honour to wear his number."
While he has played predominantly as a half-forward to date, Higgins is hoping more midfield opportunities open up this season. |
_________________
WWW.SONSOFTHESCRAY.COM |
|
