AFL star flooded with support after brain surgery development
Richmond youngster Jack Higgins will undergo brain surgery this month and is set to miss part of the 2020 AFL season.
Higgins, who has been sidelined since he was diagnosed with a brain bleed in July, faces a six-month recovery period after his surgery.
Tigers general manager of football Neil Balme said while it had been hoped Higgins would be able to undergo a less invasive procedure, the 20-year-old was now only expected to return to football late next season.
"No one is underestimating how uncomfortable this is for the poor kid, and while they were hoping for a different procedure, that hasn't quite fixed everything," Balme told afl.com.au.
"The positive out of all this is there is still the same expectation for him - that he will fully recover and return to football when he is ready.
"With brain surgery, no one can be certain with recovery time frames.
"It is obviously very challenging, but again, the positives out of it are that once he gets through it, he will be as good as new."
Higgins received an outpouring of support from well-wishing fans on social media.
Jack Higgins has been booked in for brain surgery this month.
All our thoughts are with you, Higgo 💛https://t.co/FFlk8gMOii— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) September 4, 2019
All the Best Jack Higgins
— thetipsman (@thetipsguru) September 4, 2019
Health and happiness always comes first.
Every footy fan has enjoyed the passion and excitement Jack Higgins has brought to the AFL, and to Tigerland. he's going to play 200+ games for the club. Can't wait to see him back in 2020. #gotiges https://t.co/eydj4JFzst— Nick Creely (@NCreely) September 4, 2019
All the best to Jack Higgins, what a breath of fresh air he has been in the past two years. Wouldn't be a footy supporter who hasn't enjoyed what he has brought to the game. https://t.co/mBTOILAFzm
— peter ryan (@petryan) September 4, 2019
All the best to Jack Higgins.
— Respect Existence Or Expect Resistance (@AaronSalmon3) September 4, 2019
Wishing Jack Higgins all the best in his recovery from Brain Surgery. Talented player with a freakish craft.#AFL
— Paul Persic (@Paul_Persic97) September 4, 2019
Let’s all 🙏 that Jack Higgins @Richmond_FC has successful surgery. Stay positive mate https://t.co/E51G0OUGgR
— Michael McGuane (@MickMCG34) September 4, 2019
Higgins had experienced headaches after a VFL game in July and was treated for a season-ending brain bleed.
Scans confirmed the young Tiger had an abnormality that made him more susceptible to brain bleeds.
Higgins played 13 AFL games this year, following 20 appearances and 15 goals in his rookie season in 2018.