Shaun Higgins isn’t one to take a backward step in the contest, but the Syd Barker Medalist could be excused for thinking twice next time he’s around Jed Anderson.

Anderson’s breakout 2018 season was built on his fearless attack on the ball, and the opposition, and it seems 2019 will be no different.

“When the ball’s there to be won, players who have those instincts are going to attack the ball like that,” coach Brad Scott told North Media.

“Clearly in these games we don’t look to hurt each other, but Jed is a player who has that instinct and that’s the way he plays, so to hold him back from that is very difficult.

“Higgo’s fine … he laughed it off and as he came off he said to me that ‘I’m glad he’s on our side’.”