SHAUN Higgins was pleased for – but envious of – the Western Bulldogs on Grand Final day last year, like every other player not in Luke Beveridge's side.
It wasn't because the former Bulldog is a Kangaroo these days and was pondering what might have been.
Higgins, 29, chose not to sign a new two-year contract at the Kennel in 2014, which would have seen him in that Grand Final mix, and instead joined North Melbourne as a free agent at season's end.
He responded with what remains his best football year: almost 20 disposals a week and a career-high 39 goals in a mostly forward role as the Roos lost a second straight preliminary final.
"Nothing's changed from what I spoke about at the time. It was just nine years at one club and I needed a fresh opportunity and a fresh start and so far, so good," he told AFL.com.au.
"I've loved my time here and footy's going well at the moment.
"The gut feel is you know it's time to move on … I never came here with too many high expectations about what I wanted to achieve – I just knew the time was right to move."
Higgins is one of the elder statesmen at Arden St as North embarks on a rebuild. He watched fellow veterans Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Daniel Wells, Nick Dal Santo and Michael Firrito retire or go elsewhere last year.
Then Lindsay Thomas and Andrew Swallow, both with more than 200 games under their belt, found themselves in the VFL only six rounds into this season.
The Kangaroos are still competitive most weeks, but the win-loss record is an underwhelming 2-6, including a last-start 42-point whipping from Sydney.
But Higgins, whose latest contract expires next year, insists there is no regret associated with the Western Bulldogs' 2016 fairytale.
"(Watching the Grand Final) wasn't any tougher than any other year. It is tough to watch for every player that's not involved," he said.
"I've still got good mates there, so it was an amazing achievement and well deserved, because I know there's been a lot of work put in there for a long time.
"(But) I needed a fresh start and that football club is a lot different to when I was there."
Higgins is finally a full-time on-baller this year and averaging a career-best 22.4 possessions, to go with 6.9 score involvements, 5.6 inside 50s, five tackles and four clearances.
His round-two display against Geelong oozed of class – 27 touches, two goals, 12 score involvements, nine inside 50s and seven tackles – and almost carried North Melbourne across the line.
Higgins is the main point of difference in a Kangaroos midfield brigade heavy on inside specialists, including Ben Cunnington, Jack Ziebell, Swallow and Trent Dumont.
A sprinkling of youth – such as Jy Simpkin, Ryan Clarke and Declan Mountford, plus others yet to make their AFL debut, like Josh Williams – promises to provide a better balance.
The potential luring of Greater Western Sydney superstar-in-waiting Josh Kelly, who the Roos reportedly offered about $9 million to across nine years, could fast-track that.
"The form (Kelly)'s in, I think there'd be 17 other clubs looking at him, but we're not too worried about that internally," Higgins said.
"It will take care of itself for whatever decision he makes … that's up to him. I've moved clubs to here and it was an easy decision for me at the time, but everyone's circumstances are different.
"Having said that, we'd love a player of his calibre and talent and we feel like we're building something special here as well."
