New Roo Shaun Higgins says he’s been given a “new lease on life” since arriving at Arden Street last year. The 26-year-old spent nine years at the Kennel, during an injury plagued career.

“I’m feeling really good and definitely feel like my best footy is in front of me,’’ Higgins told the Herald Sun.

“It’s just been restricted a little bit of late. I felt last year was building towards that after missing 12 months of footy, so we’ll continue on that path.

“I’ve been playing back down forward and through the midfield, which I love.

“My body is feeling really good. It’s been a really good pre-season.

“I’ve been able to do the majority of it, which has been great and (with) no post-season surgery last year, I was in pretty good condition kicking off the pre-season.’’

After 129 games with the Bulldogs, Higgins is looking forward to a return to where he plays his “best footy”.

“It will be half-forward and through the midfield, although playing a little bit down back last year gives me the flexibility to be able to do that if I have to,’’ Higgins said.

“But all indications are that it will be mid-forward.

“I think I play my best footy mid-forward, but it’s just what the team needs. I was in the position last year where the team needed (me in) that role.

“But I’m really looking forward to getting back to the old half-forward/mid role.’’

Although North played in the finals last season, Higgins said it wasn’t the reason he chose the club.

“I didn’t really feel like that’s why I joined, but clearly having played finals in the past it would be exciting to get back there,’’ Higgins said.

“The whole playing group are expecting to improve from last year, as all teams are.

“That for me is just an added bonus.

“I think it was a pretty good fit regardless of whether they were playing finals or not and there’s no guarantees, but it would be nice to get back to playing some September footy.’’

The transition made easier by the need for change.

“Once I got to the end of the year and weighed up all my options and where I was at... I felt like I needed a fresh start,’’ Higgins said.

“From the get go that I met with North Melbourne, I felt like that was where I needed to be and I’m rapt that everything got done and the result is what it is now.’’