2020 Trade & Free Agency Spotlight | Jack Higgins
Written by Joseph Addamo
Throughout the 2020 off-season, Blue Abroad will be providing content to cover everything you need to know about the Carlton Football Club.
Looking to take the next step in 2021, the success of this off-season’s recruiting is critical. We will be looking at various opposition players on the open market that could add another dimension to the current crop of players.
This is the Blue Abroad Trade & Free Agency Player Spotlight for Richmond’s #13 – Jack Higgins.
WHO IS JACK HIGGINS?
Junior Club: Oakleigh Chargers, U18 TAC Cup
AFL Selection: Pick 17, 2017 AFL National Draft by the Richmond Tigers
Age (@ Round 1, 2021): 21
Height: 177cm
Weight: 76kg
Position(s): Forward / Midfielder
Career Games: 43
Career Goals: 29
WHAT IS JACK HIGGINS’ STRONGEST ATTRIBUTE?
Other than carrying an infectious personality, Jack Higgins has made a name for himself through his creativity and goal sense in unusual and unpredictable ways. Since winning goal of the year in his first year of AFL football, ‘Snags’ forward craft has been a sight to behold.
In his career to date among forwards, Higgins ranks as elite for ground ball gets per game (5.6) and score launches (1). He also ranks above average for disposals (16), effective disposals (10.8), goal assists (0.6), score involvements (5.1), tackles inside 50 (1) and pressure acts (17).
While a brain-bleed and subsequent surgery has interrupted his young career, it hasn’t stopped Higgins from contributing in pivotal roles for Richmond. Missing out, yet again, on selection for the Premiership side however has his future at the Tigers at a crossroads.
WHERE WOULD JACK HIGGINS FIT IN CARLTON’S STARTING 22?
Carlton are in desperate need of small forward talent to complement the likes of Zac Fisher and Eddie Betts in 2021 and beyond. There is no doubt that Higgins would be a walk-up start in Carlton’s attacking 50 every week, despite reports stating that Higgins is after more midfield time.
Across his first four AFL games, Higgins kicked 8 goals for the Tigers, becoming an instant cult figure. His second game was the highlight of this string of games, and to date still one of Higgins’ more complete performances playing purely as a small forward. Against Melbourne in Round 5, 2018, Higgins kicked 3 goals to go with 14 disposals, 6 tackles (3 inside 50), 1 goal assist and 7 score involvements, in just 67% time on ground.
This forward craft is exactly what Carlton should be chasing. At the feet of Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay, Higgins would thrive.
WHAT IS JACK HIGGINS’ CONTRACT STATUS?
Higgins signed a three-year contract extension during his debut season, tying him to Richmond until the end of the 2021 season. However, it has already been reported publicly that Richmond and Higgins will part ways in the 2020 off-season.
As of today, Sam Edmund has reported via Trade Radio that Carlton are not in the race for Higgins’ signature, and it is St. Kilda in the box seat to secure the goal-sneak:
It’s understood Higgins has settled on a Melbourne-based club for next year. But it won’t be Carlton despite the Blues’ desire to land a younger small forward. – Sam Edmund via SEN.com.au
Whether there is little interest from Carlton, or whether it is Higgins’ disinterest in an offer that has been made by the club is yet to be known. There’s still a long way to go this off-season, and this situation is a massive “watch this space”, considering the quality and profile of a player like Higgins.
REALISTIC ACQUISITION RATING
5 / 10
