Forget Buddy Franklin and Eddie Betts, Kangaroo Shaun Higgins is the value pick of free agency

FREE agency is now an established part of the AFL list-building process and while some pick-ups have been better value than others, Warren Tredrea reckons one stands out ahead of others. And his pick might surprise.

Shaun Higgins of the Kangaroos is tackled by Josh Dunkley and Bailey Williams of the Bulldogs on Saturday night. Picture: Getty Images

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WHO’S the AFL’s best value for money free agent ever?

Quickly greats like Lance Franklin and Eddie Betts spring to mind, but they also come along with huge price tags – well before salaries soared 20 per cent with a new collective bargaining agreement.

The names like Brendan Goddard and Danyle Pearce were early to jump ship to new clubs following the introduction of free agency in 2012, with many others to quickly follow suit.

Free agents generally get two things; a fresh start as well as big pay packets. When Goddard departed St Kilda for Essendon he did so on $3.2 million deal over four years, while Pearce headed west to Fremantle on a significant pay rise believed to be $2 million over four years.

If you take a closer look at the list of free agents who have sought a fresh start over the years they’re cluttered with premiership stars, All Australians and in some cases some of the most talented players to grace a football field.

The 2013 season was free agency’s biggest year to date.

Lance Franklin decided to leave Hawthorn a week after tasting premiership glory for the second time. His destination, Sydney – surprising many choosing the Swans over the Giants on a colossal $10 million over nine years, at the time the biggest deal in the history of the game.

And while many questioned whether he’d play out the nine years to the age of 35, right now he looks a near certainty to go the distance and at $1.1 million a year the deal appears much cheaper than it first seemed, after the player payments soared 20 per cent.

At the same time Eddie Betts upped and left Carlton for Adelaide on a four-year $2.2 million deal.

I remember thinking at the time “that’s a lot of money for a forward pocket”. Not only has he had the last laugh, he’s still going strong, having recently extended his stay by a further three years to take him through to the end of 2020.

The following season James Frawley joined Hawthorn on a similar deal to Betts, while Scott Selwood left West Coast to reunite with brother Joel at Geelong.

And while post-2017 season defectors Steven Motlop and Tom Rockliff arrived at Alberton at the same time Jackson Trengove departed to became a Bulldog, the true test of their values will be judged in years to come.

Some will argue that the higher profile and more expensive Franklin and Betts are clearly the best value for money free agents. I disagree.

An underrated free agent of 2014, Shaun Higgins, is right now playing better football than his higher profile counterparts.

After nine years at the Western Bulldogs, Higgins needed to move to fulfil his potential. Touted as a future star, injuries robbed us of seeing Higgins’ best in the red, blue and white. And just when he was starting to hit his straps at the Dogs he was twice struck down with injury, firstly with serious ankle injury and later a navicular (foot) injury in his foot ruining his season.

After 129 games the Kangaroos came calling, list manager Cam Joyce and coach Brad Scott saw a player needing an opportunity and a training and management program tailored to his needs.

The deal was quickly struck a four-year deal worth around $400,000 a season – a reasonable show of faith considering Higgins injury history – but in hindsight a bargain for a genuine star for the competition.

Higgins has been a jet for a while now, but it’s taken time for people to catch on.

Since becoming a Kangaroo, Higgins’ game has gone to a new level.

In his first season (2015) he started as a high half forward where he averaged 20 disposals a match kicking 39 goals and in 2017 he amassed 493 disposals (23 per game) and kicked 18 goals.

In 2018 his form has soared, having already claimed 322 disposals (27 per game) and kicked 9 goals in 12 matches of football.

He’s going so well, AFL Hall OF Famer Terry Wallace recently stated: “I think he is absolutely a chance for the Brownlow”.

Higgins was always a standout, even way back in 2006 when he burst onto the AFL scene, as a youngster he always had time in and among traffic and never burnt the ball by foot. After some injury hurdles we’re finally seeing the best of him.

It’s been smart business by the Kangaroos. He’s clearly their best midfielder and all for the bargain price – he’s easily the best value for money free agent so far.

And as good football departments do, the Kangaroos haven’t sat back and waited to lock the 30-year-old away long term, they’ve not once but twice in the last six months extended his deal. First it was for an extra year through to 2019 and only months later they extended it again locking him away until the end of 2020.

As we embark on another season of free agency the big names – Rory Sloane, Andrew Gaff and Jeremy McGovern continue to hog the limelight with the constant questions of will they or won’t they move?

But with a big name comes big salary demands with each of the out-of-contract free agents demanding at least $800,000 per year over at least a four-year term.

And while they’re all superstars in their own right, they come with an element of risk.

And that’s why North Melbourne star Higgins is one of the most affordable and valuable free agents to date – he was cheap and he’s still delivering in spades on the field.