Star Kangaroo Shaun Higgins could face match review scrutiny after trio of minor mishaps
BROWNLOW Medal contender Shaun Higgins is the latest star to face match review heat that could disqualify him from the prestigious award. Here’s why.
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BROWNLOW Medal contender Shaun Higgins is the latest star to face match review heat that could disqualify him from the prestigious award.
Higgins was the star of the North Melbourne’s dramatic win over the Western Bulldogs, winning three late possessions to help them snatch victory.
But a trio of minor incidents will see him sweating on Michael Christian’s decision given the AFL table of offences.
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Early in the game he dropped his elbow into Marcus Bontempelli without much force as he and the Dogs star attempted to win the ball.
An elbow thrown back at Billy Gowers and a jumper punch on tagger Josh Dunkley might also escape suspension.
But an incident need only be assessed as intentional, to the head and low-level force to see a player face a week’s suspension.
Christian has judged most incidents involving an elbow as intentional, so Higgins will hope his dropped elbow on Bontempelli is assessed of insufficient force.
Tom Mitchell is the $2.75 Brownlow Medal favourite ahead of Dustin Martin ($9), with Shaun Higgins a $21 chance.
But Higgins has 13 votes in the Herald Sun’s player of the year competition and is in career-best form.
Nathan Fyfe is ineligible for the Brownlow after elbowing Levi Greenwood, while Dustin Martin escaped suspension despite touching an umpire.
Captain Jack Ziebell labelled Higgins an All Australian certainty yesterday after 32 possessions and two goals against his former side.
Originally published as Star Kangaroo Shaun Higgins could face match review scrutiny after trio of minor mishaps