Richmond’s Jack Higgins feared he would never walk again after brain surgery
Jack Higgins has spoken for the first time about his two bouts of brain surgery that he feared would end his career — or far worse if things went wrong — and his ‘crazy’ footy comeback.
Richmond
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Jack Higgins was told he could be paralysed or even lose his life if dangerous brain surgery last year went wrong.
The Tigers livewire is back in contact training with Richmond wearing head gear that he will likely use during the season.
It is a giant leap forward from Higgins’ first bout of brain surgery, with another operation needed to rectify the symptoms that did not abate after he initially went under the knife.
Higgins has spoken on the club’s website for the first time about the ordeal, revealing how dangerous the operations were.
He believed he would never play football again after 33 games in two years full of exciting moments including the AFL’s goal of the year in 2018.
“I cried a bit when I heard the news, it was really disappointing and really scary when the neurosurgeon said there were a lot of risks with the surgery. I could be paralysed if he touches the wrong thing or never player footy again or even die,” Higgins said.
“I had an unbelievable neurosurgeon and they cut my head open (with a) massive scar and (I spent) two weeks in hospital.
“At the time there were some pretty bad things going through my head and thought I would never play footy again, would never walk again and have to have a carer for the rest of my life.
“So to be out there training from three months ago when I could hardly walk, hardly eat, hurt when I opened and closed my mouth, it’s pretty crazy.”
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Higgins had initially suffered headaches during the 2019 season but was quickly rushed to hospital after his symptoms worsened.
“I was playing last year with headaches through matches which was a bit of a hassle but I wasn’t getting any head knocks so I didn’t think it was concussion.
“One time after a match I just felt really bad and couldn’t drive home at night and felt absolutely terrible
“I went to the club the next day and felt decent and then the next day after that got scans.”
He woke up from the MRI to find five doctors surrounding him.
“Five docs said we need to get to hospital ASAP, we need to get something out of your brain.”
Higgins battled to read or watch TV but a second bout of surgery dramatically improved his prognosis, with the young star every chance of playing against Carlton in Round 1.
“Hopefully I am doing all right. I am doing all right at training, slowly building myself back up.
“I don’t know if I will wear (the helmet) in matches, but the doctor wants me to so I probably will. But if he says no it will be the first thing that comes off.”
Teammate Kane Lambert said Higgins’ return was a boost for every Tiger.
“It’s great to have Higgo back just around the group and he’s integrating back into some contact training as well,” Lambert said.
“He’s a vibrant character and brings a lot of energy.
“You can take perspective from what he’s been through. He was a kid who had the world at his feet and unfortunately had a brain injury that was no fault of his own and his world flipped around.
“He’s got a long road ahead but we’re right behind him.”
There was one scare from the Tigers’ Gold Coast training camp when wingman Kamdyn McIntosh was carried off on a stretcher during training yesterday.
The Tigers hope McIntosh has escaped serious ankle damage despite being sent for X-rays.
McIntosh was eyeing the wing spot left vacant by Brandon Ellis after finishing last year on the outer, missing the Tiger’s second premiership triumph.
Senior advisor Neil Balme said the club was hopeful he had escaped anything more than ligament damage but were waiting on the result of scans.
“He has an ankle injury and it’s pretty sore but we don’t know the answer yes (about the extent of the injury), football boss Neil Balme said.
Richmond has been buoyed by Jack Higgins return from a pair of brain surgeries, with the busy Tigers forward making strong progress on the track.
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He has been in contract drills but wearing protective head gear in training this week.
Toby Nankervis is easing into training after off-season groin surgery, while Jack Graham had off-season shoulder reconstruction after a finals injury that saw him miss the Grand Final.
Midfielder Kane Lambert said yesterday the Tigers were thrilled with Higgins’ progress.
“He’s a kid who had the world at his feet and just unfortunately had a brain injury that was no fault of his own and his world flips around,” Lambert said.
“That’s great perspective.
“He’s learned a lot from the experience and he’s learnt who his close mates are, where his supports are and he’s got a long road ahead but we’re all here behind him.”
Originally published as Richmond’s Jack Higgins feared he would never walk again after brain surgery