When Shaun Higgins was taken at pick number 11 in the 2005 national draft, most pundits saw a talent that was more than a pick 11.
The rest of the competition thought the Western Bulldogs had a steal, but injuries quickly stopped that thinking.
He debuted in his first season against Collingwood. In Round 13 he suffered a season-ending elbow injury, a sign of things to come for the injury-plagued man.
In 2007, Higgins started to show the promise heaped onto him. He got nominated for the rising star that year, and impressed throughout the Bulldogs campaign.
However, ever since Higgins broke his ankle he has had injury issues. In 2014, all the talk around the Dogs camp that this would be Higgins year to show what he could do.
He was very good in the first part of the season, including a few games off the half back line. This seemed to be his new position at the Dogs until he was dropped in Round 16 the loss to the Cats. And no one knows why.
There are big rumours flying around that Higgins could leave Whitten Oval at the end of the year. His two main suitors seem to be Carlton and Richmond, who both need silky half back/half forward flankers.
Some would see it as a bad call though, if Higgins left after the Dogs have stuck by him through all his injuries.
For other clubs, is he worth it? And if so, where will he be in 2015?
Winston
Guest
Isn't it a no brainer? He's been dropped after finally having no injuries. That's got to show either that he's already decided to leave, so the coach doesn't play him; or conversely, the coach doesn't like him, so clearly he should look around elsewhere.
Kreyn
Roar Rookie
Funny you say that, he's the exact person I was going to compare him to. All the talent in the world doesn't mean much if you don't have it upstairs.
Ryan Buckland
Expert
Reckon he'd suit a mid tier contending team that's short a good ball user in the forward half - the same way D Pearce has slotted in to Fremantle. Also you'd wonder how he'd go at a 'rich' club with high quality medical facilities.
Flick
Roar Rookie
Super classy, hope the injuries are behind him.
Don Freo
Guest
I wonder if Higgins and Colin Sylvia are brothers. Both boys have so much class but would prefer to keep their hands clean. Success requires dirty hands.
Ryan
Guest
Higgins always seems to get rated on potential rather than production. He is an average versatile player, who can play a role in any team but is never going to be a key figure. Richmond, Carlton or even a top side could use him; but his not going to be a massive in for anyone. Dogs should cut him loose to start creating some salary cap flexibility to keep the bunch of young,talented mids they have on there list.
Kreyn
Roar Rookie
I swear that Higgins has cruised in his career off purported Supercoach value and kicking two goals on Darren Milburn in the first quarter of the '08 Prelim. He's certainly been interrupted by injuries but he's 26 and hasn't delivered on the potential he came in with. Both the Bulldogs and Higgins should part ways. He needs a change of scenery and the Bulldogs need to move on from the idea that he'll be a vital cog for them (if they haven't already).
Graeme Oakley
Guest
The doggies have stuck by Higgins through all of those injuries and it should be payback time from him. But is it worth paying out more for possibly the same thing? We should have enough experience in this sort of matter,remembering Tom Williams.
stephen
Guest
For someone with such silky skills he sure butchers the ball a lot, particularly on his left side. I think the really interesting thing is the fact there appears to be little hand wringing from dogs supporters about the prospect of him leaving. He's just someone who has never endeared himself to the supporters and I'm not sure why.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
I've watched Higgins many years and it seems to me his 'class' has deserted him in the last few years. His disposal fluctuates between excellent and poor and he is a 'one-way player'. But he would be a dangerous prospect in attack for any side, provided they don't expect him to provide any defensive pressure. He's supposedly a good clubman too.
Jack
Guest
God I hope the blues don't chase him . The problem with them is too many older under performing players. It will be daisy take 2
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
As a Hawks fan I love Higgins, and would love the club to have a crack at him
berrlins
Roar Pro
Is it worth the risk? The bloke oozes class and has been a great contributer for the dogs at times, but geez his injuries have hurt him, if any team he would be more suited to Richmond who could use him in the push for finals contention, but for a team like Carlton, would he be of any use?