Geelong has enlisted veteran North Melbourne expert Shawn Higgins on a two-year contract as he seeks to replace retired champion Gary Applet in midfield and front line
Higgins, who will turn 33 before the 2021 season begins, has arrived at the Cats in exchange for a No30 pick in this year’s draft
Of all Australians in 2018, he had Kangaroo sounds in Brownlow that year and the following year
He also played every match this year – after lifting his weight but eventually refused to move to Geelong at the end of 2019
Stephen Wells, director of Geelong’s roster, said: « We have always loved Sean as a player and we are excited to be able to work with Sean and his management and North Melbourne to get this deal done. »
“Shawn is a very talented and brilliant player who can fill a number of roles. We look forward to seeing him in Geelong colors”
Higgins’ transfer to his third team comes after he started his career at Western Bulldogs, after six years with North Melbourne
“Sean was a really important player and person for our club and won two medals from Sid Parker,” said Glenn Love, Head of Kangaroo List
“He was a great captain and always professional and he is one of the best role models you could ask for He helped develop our young players and his experience and knowledge will keep them in good standing, so we thank him for that.
“We wish Sean, Heidi and Rosie well in the next chapter in their lives.”
Known for his ball handling skills in his hand, Huygens has scored 224 goals throughout his career in 237 matches
He scored at least one goal average per game in seven of his fifteen seasons – with the best returns being 39 goals for the North in 2015 and 32 goals for the Western Bulldogs in 2009
Applet scored 25 times per game on average and scored 50 goals in his first two seasons at Geelong before lower returns in this year’s shorter matches
Higgins are the second addition to cats of the trade period, after Isaac Smith moved from the 31-year-old Hawthorne
Lachie Fogarty relocated to Carlton, while injured Nakia Cockatoo was given a fresh start in Brisbane
The GWS Giants Restricted Free Agent deal has yet to be agreed upon Jeremy Cameron after just over a day into the trading period, with Geelong insisting that no player participate.
He said Charlie Constable is open to exploring other opportunities, but the fringe midfielder does not matter to the giants.
Geelong’s bid for two first-round selections is almost twice what GWS would have received from the NFL as compensation for Cameron’s loss had he not matched Cats’ bid for the tied free agent
They currently have 13, 15 and 20 selections in the first round of this year’s National Draft
Wells told SEN: « We had good discussions with GWS and I would be surprised if that happens today (Wednesday), but it could be so. »
« It’s fair to say we want to try and make sure that GWS works better than it would get with free agency compensation, so it’s clear that our picks in the first round will be able to help with that scenario
Wells said the cats weren’t sure they could secure Cameron via the pre-season draft if they ended up going down that path.
Geelong Football Club, Australian Football League, North Melbourne Football Club, Shawn Higgins, Greater Western Sydney Giants, Lachey Fogarty, Jeremy Cameron
World News – CAF – Earth Geelong is a « talented » replacement for retired hero Gary Applet
