End of the Line II
No one wanted to hear it, but it’s in black and white this morning. Chris Judd is off.
Some say they aren’t surprised. I guess before the season started they picked Port to host the Kangaroos in a prelim final too. I am surprised. I hadn’t pegged him to be “that sort of player”.
Who knows the real reasons, or at least the issues, incidents, people that have gone into informing his decision.
Or indeed, when he made the decision. One moment he’s in the box, riding every play, captaining his team in a cut-throat semi final. Next minute he doesn’t want to play with that same team any longer. (The linked article above says he made the decision last Thursday) Love to know what’s going through his mind there.
The fact is, the decision is made. He’s off.
He’ll doubtlessly go to Carlton, who we should extract a rash of draft picks from (doubt we’d take players - historically we’ve been reluctant to) and reset (at least for a few hours) the premiership clock. Interesting days / weeks ahead..
Sep 17th 2007
We should be taking draft picks 1 and 3 from Carlton or 3 and perhaps Josh Kennedy.
Trouble is, I think we’re more likely to be dealing with Collingwood. Judd will want a team that’s a realistic shot at the premiership in the next few years and that’s not Carlton.
I was with a bunch of Carlton supporters yesterday and even they aren’t entirely convinced that he’s what the club actually needs. hey, if we can screw them at the draft table, then let’s go for it.
I’m not sure about re-setting the Premiership clock. If the Eagles had a fully fit team running into the finals, even without Judd, we would still be there and would be a good chance to knock over Geelong. Let’s face it, we made it to the semis pretty much without Judd this year. Get Graham and Butler and a few others back next year and we’ll be in the mix again.
I’ve always loved to watch Judd play but I’ve often wondered how passionate he is about the game. There’s not usually any big celebrations after goals or big wins, which is probably just the kind of guy he is - a little reserved.
Sep 17th 2007
Oh, and I agree with those supporters who wonder how they explain all this to the kids. My 4 year old daughter loves to watch “Juddy” when we go to the games - how do I explain to her he doesn’t play for us anymore?
I know it’s a cold, hard professional world but footy loses a little bit of its soul sometimes.
On the upside, on the odd occasion that we’ve bumped into the team at the airport, David Wirrpanda has always gone out of his way to say hello to her, which made her day. All-round top bloke.
Sep 17th 2007
I’m not sure we give him the option of choosing his next club. Best offer on the table wins IMO. Given the draft its likely to be Carlton or possibly Richmond. Melbourne as an outsider.
We might not be too far away without Judd, time will tell. If we do stock up with some picks though it could extend out our competitiveness over the next 4-5 years.
Wirra = all class.
Sep 17th 2007
He left because he couldnt be involved with such unmoralistic win at all costs bunch of cowboys anymore. Dont blame him I applaud him actually. Eventually the lack of accountability at that club was going to bite them. Its okay though because I wouldnt se surprised if you made Cousins captain again!
Sep 17th 2007
Sounds to me like he wants to have his cake and eat it too. As I said on Cork, if finals footy is so important to him, he should stay put. If family and (old) friends are more important, go to whichever Melbourne based club offers most to the Eagles. And if, as some rumours have said, (preceived) drug-taking and (preceived) player behaviour are the reason, he should make sure he avoids the Poise and the Poos.
Sep 17th 2007
That should have been “perceived”. Where’s the edit button on this thing?
Sep 17th 2007
Speaking of which, Bruce, you have a typo. When I scroll the cursor over the hash symbol at the end of a post, the cursor text box advises me that it’s to “Permalnik to this comment” …
Sep 17th 2007
What are the best swaps?
Draft picks?
Buddy for Juddy?
Sep 17th 2007
No way the hawks will be trading Buddy for Judd! Throw in Glass and a Draft pick and we might at least take your phone call about what else you will have to give us!
But seriously, why do the Hawks want him anyway? We need a back not a midfield.
Molly
Sep 17th 2007
Molly, you guys had your chance with Judd anyway! No need for the Hawks to break up their side either.
I can’t see anyone trumping Carlton given what they have to offer us; and it will be the Eagles needs - not Judd’s - that will be hardest to meet.
Sep 17th 2007
You reckon that the Hawks would have to be on drugs to want that trade Molly?
Seriously, he only way the “Buddy for Juddy” thing would work is if Franklin indicated to the Hawks that homesickness is (or very soon is likely to be) a factor for him too. That would level things up - there’s a bigger market of Melbourne clubs wanting Judd than Perth clubs wanting Franklin, and there won’t be a Judd around as compensation if Franklin wants home in a year or two.
Sep 17th 2007
For those that can’t see “byebye’s” email address - you guessed it, he is a docker’s supporter.
And don’t the docker’s supporters do moralising so well…
Sep 17th 2007
I guess he’s not a Josh Carr fan then. And I bet he’s outraged how Stella was straight back into his oh so accountable team straight after his last indiscretion.
Next time you’re wondering what a given player is thinking, Bruce, you can email byebye. He seems to be able to read Judd’s mind.
Sep 17th 2007
Fordy, You would think the Eagles would be on drugs if they didn’t go after Franklin!
It would be funny if Franklin got home sick seeing my understanding is that most of his family moved to Melbourne when he did!
But the Eagles can dream.
Molly
Sep 17th 2007
Check out realfooty.com.au for my song for Chris Judd or at the link below.
http://www.theage.com.au/multimedia/judd/index.html
Sep 17th 2007
I’d take Franklin, absolutely.
Doubt he’d be available - but if he was I’d love us to nab him.
Sep 17th 2007
Eagles should take picks 1 & 3 from Carlton and with the first pick take cruzer I think he is the ruckan? So Carlton don’t have a decent ruckman to feed Judd or Stevens.
In all seriousness he has been a great player for the club, and while I hoped he would stay after hearing the rumours earlier in the year it does not surprise me.
always remember the club song. They took our best, we took theirs and he wants to go home. I want my mummy.
Sep 17th 2007
Any chance of the Blues putting up Fev? Either to the Eagles with 3 to keep 1, or to another early pick-club to offer the eagles 3 and whatever they get for Fev, while still keeping 1? TFBU then to CHF or back to CHB? He worked well with Glass back there.
Sep 17th 2007
I just wanna say that Judd has been the best thing in our club and I support him with his decision. I can understand family would be a major problem with Perth. But I wanna say Judd is always welcome back at his REAL home…the Eagles nest! I hope when his new team comes to Perth to play against the Dockers…We all hold banners supporting Judd and his future
Sep 18th 2007
Banners isn’t really my type, but I know a few girls who wouldn’t mind holding him. As for Judd, he’ll just be another opposition player … albeit one who walked out on the Eagles when they were already at a low ebb, so he could have dinner at his mum’s more often. (I’m assuming he won’t be moving back in with her.) So no, I can’t see there being much support for him at Eagles home games.