You wouldn’t have known it by the cool, calculated, clever way he played, but talented Tiger teenage small forward/midfielder Jack Higgins was a tad unnerved going into his first final, and during the opening few minutes of last night’s qualifying final against Hawthorn at the MCG.

Higgins was one of Richmond’s best in its 31-point win, finishing the match with 20 disposals, including 10 contested possessions, six inside-50s, eight score involvements, one goal and 298 metres gained.

It was a polished performance that well and truly belied his inexperience at the game’s highest level.

But Higgins admitted in a typically exuberant post-match interview with Channel Seven that the hectic finals tempo had initially taken him by surprise.

“It was pretty crazy . . . but it was good, real good,” Higgins said.

“The first 10 minutes of the game, I was like, wow.

“I wasn’t too nervous during the day. It was when I got to the game I got a bit nervous. But it was all good because the boys helped me settle down . . .

The 19-year-old can’t believe his luck that he’s played 19 games in his debut season with the reigning premier team, which has advanced through to a preliminary final in two weeks’ time.

“Never in a million years I thought I’d be in this position that I am now. It’s unreal,” Higgins said.

“Hopefully I get a game then (in the preliminary final).”