The running defender, who came into the side this week in place of the injured Rhyce Shaw, made an impact in his first senior game for 2014, picking up 24 possessions, six tackles and four rebound 50s and four inside 50s off the half-back line in the Sydney Swans’ 71-point win over St Kilda on Saturday afternoon at the SCG.
The rookie player, who was elevated to the senior list just over a week ago, told SwansTV it felt good to be back playing senior football.
Buddy-led Swans sweep Saints
“It was great to be back out there,” Biggs said after the match.
“I just had to bide my time and wait for a few injuries and get elevated, and it was really good to get out there and have a good win.”
Biggs, who has averaged 26 disposals per game in the NEAFL this season, said there was definitely a step up in intensity in Saturday’s game to what he was accustomed to with the Swans reserves.
“(The intensity) really changes a lot,” he said.
“There’s a lot more running and just the skill level, and the speed of the game is just a lot faster, so if you can adjust to it, it will hold you in good stead.”
Biggs, who notched up his fourth senior appearance on Saturday night, said he owed his good performance to the side’s senior defenders, such as Ted Richards and Heath Grundy, who offered direction throughout the match.
“It was good to have a good game, but like everyone says, it’s all about the team,” he said.
“Just to be able to play my role and have the guys help me so much, I owe it all to them.
“Down back or on the wing, they are telling me where to go, so it’s all about the team.”
After spending the majority of the match in the backline or on the wing, Biggs had a front-row seat to the Lance Franklin show, with the Swans forward booting nine goals for the match, his biggest haul in red and white.
“I was just there watching in awe,” he said.
“It was great to watch and the crowd loved it and everyone was loud whenever it went near him.
“I think we all enjoyed it.”
Another defender who stepped up in Saturday’s win was Jeremy Laidler, who finished the match with 23 possessions, seven marks and three rebound 50s against the Saints.
The 25-year-old, who has played all but two senior games this season, said Saturday’s win was a rewarding victory.
“We spoke about having the right attitude and we came out early and kicked a few goals, and then we had a bit of a lapse in the second quarter, but we put the foot down in the second half, which was good,” Laidler told SwansTV.
SwansTV: Jeremy Laidler post game R21
“We thought we performed pretty well and the pressure was right up there.
“That was our focus going into the game.
“We knew if our pressure was up then they would find it hard to use the ball.”
The former Blue, who returned to the side for last weekend’s win over Port Adelaide in place of Nick Smith, said he was also trying to make the most of his senior opportunities as September draws closer.
“I’ve only missed two games this year and it’s good to be out there with the boys and getting a bit of the ball and defending as well,” Laidler said.
“I’m pushing pretty hard, but I just need to get in there and play my role for the team and just do my job.
“I tried to do that today and I’ll just have to keep that up.”
