Shaun Higgins was always confident of being ready for round one, despite minor knee surgery during the NAB Challenge.

Speaking to the media at the club’s Good Friday training session, the 28-year-old said he is fit and firing ahead of the clash against the Crows.

“It was really minor (the surgery),” Higgins explained.

“I probably could have played earlier than this, but we wanted to make sure strength-wise I was ready to go. That was probably the main hurdle that we had to get over.

“From the Monday night that I got operated on that was always the plan, to play round one.”

Higgins admitted he would have “liked another game” in the lead-up to the season, having lined up in only the opening NAB Challenge match, but said the surgery didn’t have a big impact on his preparation.

“I was literally off legs for seven or eight days with no running, and in that time we had Community Camp and country visits. I missed maybe one and a half sessions compared to the rest of the boys.

“I’m feeling really good, fitness wise no issues.”

The Roos trained in front of a big crowd at Arden Street and Higgins threw his support behind North playing on Good Friday.

“Next year hopefully you are talking to me pre-game,” he said to journalists.

“It’d be great for our footy club to be involved in Good Friday footy and we’re hoping next year it gets the go ahead.”

Higgins backed new teammate Jed Anderson to make an easy transition into the Roos’ 22.

The former Hawk set to make his debut on Saturday night.

“He’s (Anderson) been really good and fitted in well. I think he’s enjoying his time here.

“He’ll probably be a little bit nervous today, like we all are, a little bit toey to get into it.

“There’s no great expectations to come out and dominate the first game. There’s a role for him to play tomorrow night and we hope that he does that.”