North Melbourne star Shaun Higgins says shorter quarters, more finals might be the way forward after coronavirus pandemic

We saw some noticeable changes from new rules in the opening round, and there could be more on the way in this uncertain season. And Roos star Shaun Higgins can see two of them sticking.

Shaun Higgins escapes a tackle in his Round 1 clash with North Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

North Melbourne star Shaun Higgins says some of the temporary changes made to football this year in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic might become permanent parts of the AFL landscape.

Higgins said the move to 16-minute plus time-on quarters for Round 1 and the AFL's consideration of playing more finals matches could be retained beyond this season.

“In times of challenge which we’re going through now, and change, maybe the game’s going to change for the better down the track as well and potentially a 17-game season, or more finals, or a shorter game … and more value on games is what’s going to come of it,” Higgins said.

The AFL will not consider restarting the competition until after May 31 — and most likely much longer — but intends to get a 17-game season completed before the end of the year, playing possibly as late as December.

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Higgins supports that, saying the players will do whatever they can, including agreeing to play back-to-back games in the space of three or four days to make it happen.

And he says, if time permits this season, he would rather see more finals — not fewer — and keeping that deep into the future.

“We need to adapt and do whatever we can to get the games in and get a result for the competition (in 2020)," he said.

“Going forward even if it is a 17-game season in years to come, maybe that puts a real emphasis on finals and we can make finals the real centrepiece of what it is and maybe extend it a little more as well.

Shaun Higgins would like to see 16-minute quarters beyond 2020. Picture: AAP Image/Scott Barbour

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“Ideally, finals are what we all play for; they’re the great matches in the competition and the season, and they’re what games the fans live for as well. So ideally there’ll be some finals (in 2020).”

The 32-year-old admitted it would be tough for older players to play back-to-back matches in the space of a few days, but said he was fully supportive of it to keep the AFL industry alive and to keep the fans engaged.

“It’s going to be a challenge for guys if there are going to be three or four day breaks to get the games in, but at the end of the day, we’ll do what we’ve got to do,” he said.

“By the time that time comes around, we would have gone through far greater challenges than getting up for a game of footy in four days.”

Originally published as North Melbourne star Shaun Higgins says shorter quarters, more finals might be the way forward after coronavirus pandemic