Kevin Higgins (Australian footballer)
Kevin Michael Patrick Higgins (20 February 1951 – 5 July 2019) was an Australian rules footballer who played for Geelong and Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League (VFL) during the 1970s.
| Kevin Higgins | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Kevin Michael Patrick Higgins | ||
| Date of birth | 20 February 1951 | ||
| Date of death | 5 July 2019 (aged 68) | ||
| Original team(s) | Sandhurst | ||
| Height | 183 cm (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Weight | 89 kg (196 lb) | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1970, 1972–78 | Geelong | 128 (35) | |
| 1979–80 | Fitzroy | 25 (0) | |
| Total | 153 (35) | ||
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1980. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Career
Higgins started his career as a centre half forward but the Sandhurst recruit spent most of his time at Geelong in defence. A left footer, Higgins was a regular in the team from 1973 and made his finals debut in 1976. Geelong's best placed player at the 1978 Brownlow Medal count, Higgins transferred to Fitzroy in 1979 and appeared in all 24 games that year, two of them finals.
Continuing his involvement in Geelong football throughout the 1980s, Higgins coached Newtown & Chilwell from 1981 to 1988. He kicked 100 goals twice in a season (1981 & 1982) and was the GFL leading goal-kicker in 1982.
He was appointed as coach of Sturt in the 1990 SANFL season but lost his job after they finished with the wooden spoon after a season with just two wins and 18 losses.[1]
Higgins died on 5 July 2019.[2] The next day, his former team Geelong wore black tape around their arms as a tribute to Higgins during a match against the Western Bulldogs.[3]
References
- Schwerdt, Mark. "SANFL Blow-ins 1960-1990 Part 1: Introduction and coaches". www.footyalmanac.com.au. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- "Death Notice: Kevin Michael Patrick HIGGINS". Bendigo Advertiser. 9 July 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
- "Geelong to honour Kevin Higgins". Geelong Cats.
- Kevin Higgins's playing statistics from AFL Tables
- Holmesby, Russell and Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers. 7th ed. Melbourne: Bas Publishing.