New recruit Shaun Higgins says coach Brad Scott has given him “a licence to get back playing footy” and he couldn’t be happier.

After making the highly publicised move from the Western Bulldogs to North Melbourne at the end of 2014, Higgins told Channel 9’s Tony Jones he was relishing working at his new club.

“I feel like this is a really good fit for me and I’m really excited about what’s to come,” Higgins said.

“Things are going really well off-field here. There’s obviously a lot of excitement around the place. I’m rapt to be here and I can see it’s an exciting time.”

In a quirk of the AFL fixture, Higgins won’t have to face his former teammates until Round 22, in late August.

“I’ll have a few games under my belt by then, but I’m sure it will be a bit strange,” he said.

“There’s always a part of me that will be a Bulldog, but now I’d like to think that there’s a big part of me that is a Kangaroo. I don’t think you have to be one or another.

“I loved my time there (at the Bulldogs) - that was one part of my footy career and now I’m excited about the second.”

The 26-year-old remembers playing against Scott as a youngster.

“I was a young pup then, he pushed me around a little bit, but Scotty’s been great. He’s really given me a licence to get back to playing footy which I’ve enjoyed.

“We’ve got a really good group and it will be challenging for spots, but looking forward to it.”