Young Tiger says of course it was a goal

Plenty of people have asked first-year Richmond player Jack Higgins about his freakish goal against Collingwood.

Jack Higgins

Young Tiger Jack Higgins has made a huge impression in his debut AFL season. (AAP)

Jack Higgins has his answer down-pat - of course it wasn't a throw, it was an elevated ball drop.

Above everything else Higgins has done in his debut AFL season - the infectious personality, the rev-ups to his Richmond teammates in their huddles, his impressive form - there's that freakish goal.

The 19-year-old had possession and was under pressure in the round-14 win over Collingwood when he ran over the goal line.

Higgins somehow had the presence of mind to not only keep the ball on the right side of the line, but threw it up in the air and then volleyed it over his head.

No-one doubts the genius, but should the goal have been allowed?

"I've been asked this so many times - random people in the street, my mates," he said.

"It wasn't a throw, because it was an elevated ball drop.

"It was pretty unreal, I've probably seen it 1000 times."

It is high among the contenders for goal of the year.

"(Sydney's) Luke Parker kicked a pretty good goal, but hopefully I've got him covered," Higgins said.

It has been that sort of year for the 19-year-old, whose personality quickly made him a cult figure at Punt Rd.

Two goals in his round-three debut against Hawthorn also showed the kid can play and he has managed 18 games in the powerful Tigers lineup.

"It's crazy - never in my wildest dreams. I just wanted to play a game of AFL. It's a dream come true," he said.

Higgins is nervous about his first AFL finals series, which will start against the Hawks next Thursday night at the MCG.

"It should be pretty exciting running out in front of 90,000 people next Thursday night, if I get a game," he said.

While Higgins keeps showing he belongs in the AFL, he confesses to mixed emotions.

"I sort of do feel at home, playing, but then again I feel like I'm 15 years old," he said.

"Everyone in the crowd, how am I here? - I've always dreamed of this and it's finally happening.

"It's crazy like that."

Higgins also is well-known for his spontaneous talks to teammates in their huddles.

Sometimes they have everyone laughing. And sometimes they don't.

"It was pretty weird, the first time I did it - I did it off the cuff and I had no idea what was going on," he said.

"It was 'here you go Higgo, it's your turn, say something crazy'.

"I did one, I can't remember what game it was, and everyone was like 'what did you just say?'.

"I don't even know, it just came that quick."


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Source: AAP


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