NORTH Melbourne star Shaun Higgins is a certain starter for the Kangaroos in Sunday's clash with Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium.

Earlier in the week, Higgins announced that he would skip the match if wife Heidi went into labour, with the 30-year-old saying: "It's an easy decision to be honest. It's one game out of an entire career for something that's once in a lifetime."

It's a scenario Higgins and Kangaroos fans won't need to worry about, however, with North Melbourne announcing via Twitter on Sunday that the Higgins' were delighted to welcome the arrival of their first child, daughter Rosie Joan, and that the 187-game veteran would take on the fourth-placed Hawks.

Higgins is enjoying a superb start to the season, averaging close to 26 disposals per game, while last week he racked up 35 touches and kicked a goal in the Roos' thrashing of Carlton in Hobart.