THE return to football of Jack Higgins and Harley Bennell are further reasons for football fans to smile ahead of the resumption of the AFL season.
Higgins will play his first match since Round 13 last year following brain surgery in Richmond’s clash with Collingwood at the MCG on Thursday night.
While Bennell, who has played just two games since the end of the 2015 season, will make his first appearance for Melbourne in Saturday’s twilight meeting with Carlton at Marvel Stadium.
There were fears Higgins would never play again after he underwent several procedures last year.
Any brain injury is significant and quite scary in nature and there was a chance that he might not have been able to play again,” Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said.
“But his doctors and surgeons have done a wonderful job… and Jack himself has done a wonderful job in rehab to make sure he’s given himself every chance.
“The smile on his face when he found out he was playing was a great highlight for our playing group.
“He’s a very popular member of our side.”
For former Gold Coast and Fremantle midfielder Bennell, it will be his first AFL appearance since Round 23, 2017.
It was the last of his only two matches for the Dockers after 81 in five seasons with the Suns.
“He’s a highly talented player, he’s very creative and he’s got a beautiful kick,” Demons coach Simon Goodwin said.
“So our ability to use his skill set and put his strengths on show is something we’re looking forward to and he certainly gives our midfield a slightly different look.
“He’s very good in traffic and he can certainly kick the ball well forward of centre.
“So he’s an exciting player for us but… we do have to just temper our expectation.
“He hasn’t played a lot of footy now in the last four years, and it may take some time to adjust to AFL level.”
Melbourne will also unveil draftees Luke Jackson, who it selected with pick No.3, and Trent Rivers.
