Higgins played at both under-19s and reserves level with the Carlton Football Club but didn't make an appearance in the seniors. A ruckman, he joined Claremont in 1987 in search of greater opportunities and participated in their WAFL premiership team that year.[1]
He was picked up by West Coast with the 10th pick of the 1988 VFL draft and had 28 hit-outs on debut, against Collingwood.[2] After just one season and four games, Higgins was de-listed by the club.