Another Bulldog blow: Higgins gone for year

Wed 8 Sep

Shaun Higgins has joined the list of Western Bulldogs casualties to miss this Saturday night's sudden-death semi-final showdown with Sydney Swans at the MCG.

Higgins, who has been battling a debilitating thyroid condition, will not play again this season.

It was thought the classy midfield/forward had overcome the complaint but he was sluggish in the heavy qualifying final defeat to Collingwood.

Medical staff at the club completed further tests in the wake of the loss to the Magpies and called an end to Higgins' campaign.

"Obviously there's still some residual effect - you could see how he ran on the weekend. He didn't have that speed or energy," coach Rodney Eade said.

"They've done another test and it's best to shelve it. That's it for the year."

Higgins joins other key players Adam Cooney and Dale Morris in having their seasons ended prematurely.

Eade said utility Easton Wood was likely to come into the side to face Sydney this weekend as Higgins' replacement if he proved he had recovered from a hamstring injury. - aap