The forgotten man of Whitten Oval, Shaun Higgins, will be reborn on the half-back flank as the Bulldogs charge into the new AFL season.
Higgins broke his foot in round three last year, ruling him out for the Bulldogs’ 2013 campaign.
But a strong pre-season has his confidence sky-high for a new role rebounding from defence.
Higgins was used mainly as a midfielder who could also get forward and kick goals – he has 119 goals in 109 games since debuting in 2006 – but he revealed his future under coach Brendan McCartney would be on the half-back line.
“It was flagged midway through last year when I was injured. I did a bit of work watching games, watching footage of the way we want to play,” he said.
“In today’s footy that can be wing or half-forward or through the middle.”
He said he wouldn’t be a run-and-carry type midfielder off half-back but instead would take the field with a very simple mission.
“I’m a defender, just like the other five that go out there and play,” he said.
“It’ll be play on my man, beat him and then whatever happens off the back of that happens.”
The early signs for Higgins’ transformation are good.
Higgins starred from half-back in his first full pre-season hitout since overcoming his foot injury, racking up 33 possessions in a best-afield performance against Carlton.
Perhaps more important than his return to form was the feeling Higgins had waking up the next morning.
Thankfully for Bulldogs fans, there was no sign of the pain that he struggled with last year.
“I pulled up well. I feel really good and recovered as well as I did playing the half-game the week before,” he said.
“At the moment it’s as good as it could be.
He denied any clouds over his confidence after such a long spell on the sidelines, thanks to a strong rehabilitation.
“It hasn’t played on my mind since I’ve been back running, because I haven’t had a hiccup.”
“I’ve got through all of the training we needed and now a game and a half.
“Confidence-wise I’m the same as anyone coming off a full pre-season.”
The Bulldogs close round one with a trip to Subiaco to play West Coast on March 23.
