Shaun Higgins’s exit could pave the way for the Western Bulldogs to draft a top talent

WESTERN Bulldogs could be dealt pick No.26 as maximum compensation for the potential departure of free agent Shaun Higgins.

Western Bulldogs training, ,Picture Wayne Ludbey,Shaun Higgins,

WESTERN Bulldogs would be dealt pick No.26 as maximum compensation for the potential departure of free agent Shaun Higgins based on current ladder positions.

Carlton has emerged as the frontrunner of an interested pack of clubs believed to include Richmond, North Melbourne, Geelong and Greater Western Sydney.

The Dogs will re-ignite talks with Higgins’ management at season’s end, but could part with the utility in a bid to receive three picks inside the top-30 in November’s national draft.

Higgins, 26, has strong ties with teammates at the kennel but his future became even more clouded after he was dropped to the VFL for the past two games.

Shaun Higgins gets his handball away against Melbourne. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

The injury-plagued classy ball-user will return to senior level against Hawthorn in Launceston today.

It is expected Higgins, originally taken with pick No.11 in 2005, would command a deal worth in excess of $350,000 a year at a new club and result in a second-round compensation pick for the Dogs.

If the club remains in 14th position, a second-round compensation pick would net Brendan McCartney’s men pick No.26, factoring in the two extra first-round picks activated by expansion clubs Greater Western Sydney and Gold Coast Suns.

However, the likely departure of Melbourne free agent James Frawley, which would net the Demons the prized No.3 pick on current standings, would push out the Dogs’ Higgins compensation selection out to No.27.

Shaun Higgins can’t shake off Travis Boak. Picture: Sarah Reed.

That scenario would give the rebuilding Dogs picks No’s 6, 26 and 27 at this year’s draft.

Their first selection would likely be used on a key position player such as 201cm ruck/forward Peter Wright 196cm ruckman/defender Sam Durdin or 196cm half back/half forward Hugh Goddard.

Last year Melbourne received pick No.23 for the loss of Fremantle forward Colin Sylvia, who was also classified in the second-round compensation band.

The Dogs have made public their disappointment in receiving only one first round compensation pick for the loss of Greater Western Sydney captain and best and fairest winner Callan Ward in 2011.

Western Bulldogs veteran defender Dale Morris, who re-signed at the kennel this week, said he hoped Higgins remained at the club beyond this season.

“He’s been very unlucky with injuries over his career and stuck by the footy club and worked hard to get himself back out there,” Morris said.

“What happens in the future that will be discussed with him and his manager and the footy club and I’m sure they will work out what is best for ‘Higgo’ and the footy club.”

Originally published as Shaun Higgins’s exit could pave the way for the Western Bulldogs to draft a top talent