K rock Football

Veteran Cat calls time

Shaun Higgins has announced his retirement. (Sports Media Image/Marcel Berens)

SHAUN Higgins is Geelong’s first confirmed list change after announcing his retirement this (Tuesday) morning.

The 34-year-old former Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne star will hang up the boots following 260 games in a career spanning 17 seasons.

Drafted from the Geelong Falcons in 2005 by the Bulldogs, he made 129 appearances in red, white and blue and 108 with the Roos, where he was an All-Australian in 2018 and two-time best-and-fairest.

Higgins, whose dad Mick featured in a Geelong reserves premiership in the early 1980s, joined the Cats ahead of the 2021 season.

He played 18 games in his first season in the Hoops. However, injury and lack of opportunity limited him to just five matches this year.

“I feel privileged to have been able to play at this level for 17 seasons at three great clubs,” Higgins said.

“I feel enormously lucky to have lived out a childhood dream of playing footy, and I’m thankful for all the friendships, memories and support through the years.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to have represented Geelong; it’s a special club, and while having only been here for two seasons, the place and people have had a lasting impact on me.”

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Higgins appeared in four preliminary finals but will end his career without a grand final appearance.

“While I have experienced some challenges with injury this season, I’m comfortable knowing I’ve done everything I can to make a return to the senior team,” he said.

“And while it hasn’t worked out, I’m focused on playing my part in helping the team best prepare for Saturday’s Grand Final and seeing my teammates run out onto the MCG.”

Geelong football boss Simon Lloyd said Higgins had impacted the game, including during his brief time at the Cats.

“Shaun has been an incredible AFL player, and when he looks back over a career that spanned 17 years, he should be really proud of everything he has achieved,” Lloyd said.

“Shaun has been an influential leader since arriving at the Club. He has spent considerable time passing on his significant learnings to our younger players and setting them up for success.

“Shaun has always demonstrated great care for Geelong, carried himself with class and leaves us in a better position for his presence.”

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