Geelong veteran Shaun Higgins determined to recapture best form in 2022

A Geelong veteran hopes a “jump start” to pre-season will allow him to win place back in the best 22 after difficult first year at GMHBA Stadium.

Geelong veteran Shaun Higgins is “extremely confident” he can recapture the form that made him one of North Melbourne’s prime movers as he looks to reclaim his place back in Geelong’s best 22.

Higgins was dropped during last year’s finals series and endured a difficult 2021 with injuries, but has enjoyed an uninterrupted pre-season as he looks to nail down a midfield-forward role in his 17th and potentially final season.

Shaun Higgins is hoping to put a difficult 2021 behind him. Picture: Getty

Higgins, who turns 34 in March, revealed he made an early return to pre-season in a bid to win back a senior spot.

“For me, getting a jump start on pre-season through October and November has been really worthwhile with no surgeries this year,” Higgins said.

“It’s something I have normally done, particularly over the past six or eight years, pending surgeries.

“I had a clear run post-season and it just came back to making sure I can control what I can control and that’s to get myself in the best condition possible to give myself the opportunity to play well and ultimately help the team.

“I wanted to do that for myself personally and also wanted to spend a fair bit of time with the younger boys at the football club during that period.

“We were able to get some great work in and hopefully it sets the whole list up to perform well all year and for young guys to take the next step to build on their careers.

“I feel like I’m in a really good place.”

Higgins’ first year at the Cats was marred by knee, hamstring and thumb setbacks as he struggled to find the form that saw him claim two best-and-fairests at North Melbourne.

Shaun Higgins playing with the Cats last year. Picture: Michael Klein

He started as the sub against Port Adelaide in the qualifying final and was omitted the following week.

But Higgins said he had no doubt he remained in Geelong’s best side.

“Extremely confident,” he said when asked if there was a place for him in the starting 22.

“That’s what I’m looking forward to but at the same time, play the role that’s necessary, which, at the back end of last year was the sub, but being able to perform to whatever that role does look like.”

He would not be drawn on if this season would be his final year.

“I’ve never put a full stop on it, so I won’t start now,” he said.

“Whether it is or isn’t, I just wanted to give myself an opportunity to get back to that level so that’s all I’m worried about.”

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Originally published as Geelong veteran Shaun Higgins determined to recapture best form in 2022