There’s always uncertainty in the AFL and that’s why players are encouraged to ‘take their opportunities’ whenever they arise. Whether you’re a first-year player or seasoned veteran, the advice is equally relevant – just ask Shaun Higgins.

“For me personally, getting towards the end of my career, you take every year playing as if this could be the last opportunity to play finals footy,” he told NMFC.com.au.

This time last year, the 28-year-old was North’s best pre-season performer and looked headed for a career season, but just seven games in, he tore his meniscus. It proved to Higgins once again that anything can happen and you should take nothing for granted.

Even when he eventually returned some 16-weeks later, the comeback was short-lived with North’s quick finals exit.

“It was going to be a really exciting year with the finals series, so it was a big build-up, but unfortunately it lasted only two games and one final,” he said.

“Fitness-wise it was a challenge because you are on a tight schedule and obviously you are pushing it to try and get back … I wasn’t 100 per cent fit but I was as fit as I could be, given the circumstances.”

Taking no chances this time around, Higgins cut his holidays short and headed to Utah.

“Given the year I had last year I thought it would be fitting to go over to Utah and I was only cross-training, not running, but it was important to do everything I could to get a little bit of work in and get that fitness up before I started running which was around the middle of December,” Higgins said.

“I started full training before Christmas and post-Christmas it’s gone really well, so that’s pleasing.” 

Higgins underwent a further clean-up with post-season surgery, before another patient build-up to full fitness.

Three weeks out from the first JLT Community Series game, he’s primed and ready – perhaps best highlighted by a video clip of him tussling with Luke McDonald during a practice match.

“When you’ve got 30 or 40 guys training at the moment all trying to get a spot, to start the practice matches and then into round one, everyone’s got pride in their performance and looking to cement their spot in the side,” he said.

“Lukey and I are really good mates, so there’s a little bit of banter every training session … It was blown up a little bit and misinterpreted by some people, but it’s all in good fun and we were having a scratch-match so that’s part and parcel of footy.

“There’s definitely no holding back, but at the same time it’s not taking it out of context; we are teammates so we look after each other.”

So after just nine games in 2016, Higgins is looking to bounce back in a big way knowing time is of the essence.