SHAUN Higgins isn't sure he'll be at his absolute best in time for North Melbourne's elimination final against Adelaide next Saturday night but the classy forward is unconcerned.
Higgins played his first game in more than three months in North's final home and away match against Greater Western Sydney, having successfully fast-tracked his rehabilitation from surgery on his right knee.
The 28-year-old had 14 possessions in a solid return against the Giants and, most importantly, emerged unscathed.
Higgins told AFL.com.au his knee had felt "surprisingly good" during the game and his match fitness proved "OK" after a solid block of full training in the previous two and a half weeks.
He was also confident the pre-finals bye would work in his favour, giving him two weeks to recover from the Giants game and "launch into the finals".
But when asked how well he could reasonably expect to perform against the Crows off his limited preparation, Higgins was not sure.
"It's a tough question to answer but I know that I'm feeling really good. Whether I get back to playing exactly as well as I would like is sort of irrelevant for me," Higgins said.
"It's about coming back and playing the role that I need to play. That's the main goal and anything on top of that in terms of goals and those sorts of things is a bit of a bonus.
"My focus is just to do what I can with the state that I'm in because I've really got no other choice.
"I feel like I've done the work, or as much work as I could have in the time that I had, and whatever happens from here happens."
Higgins was one of a host of Roos who suffered long-term injuries from round six onwards.
Defender Luke McDonald, who suffered a hamstring injury in round 13 that required surgery, returned alongside Higgins against the Giants and also got through the game without any hiccups.
However, defender Sam Wright (ankle) and run-with midfielder Ben Jacobs (foot) seem unlikely to play any part in the finals after pulling up sore following their comeback games in the VFL three weeks ago, while forward Mason Wood (knee) probably needs North to go deep into the finals to have any hope of returning.
However, Higgins is confident North's elimination final team will be bolstered by spearhead Jarrad Waite, who has been sidelined for all bar two games since round 12 with a hip injury, and key defender Scott Thompson, who missed two of the last three weeks of the home and away season with an adductor strain.
The Roos will take on Adelaide at Adelaide Oval having won just three of their past 13 games.
They’ve also won just two of their 11 clashes against fellow top-eight teams in 2016, but split their two encounters with the Crows, winning by 10 points in round one at Etihad Stadium and losing by 33 points in round 14 at the Adelaide Oval.
Despite this disappointing form line, Higgins is bullish about North's chances next Saturday night.
"We give ourselves a massive chance every time we play. On paper it doesn't read that well, three from 13, but we were a kick off Hawthorn (in round 13) and we were a kick off Sydney a couple of weeks ago and played some pretty good footy," Higgins said.
"We feel like we've been competitive against the top sides most of the times we've played them.
"And finals footy is a whole new ball game. You have 22 games to qualify and get yourself in the best position. We've done that and we've got a great opportunity now to go over to Adelaide and win another final."
