More on the Judd Exodus
Ok, so it’s been a couple of days now. Chris Judd is off back to Melbourne and for West Coast Eagles fans, everything has changed. After the initial burst of anger / disbelief / depression / nausea / rage, here’s some further thoughts:
- Some people are questioning the “real” reason for his departure. I would agree if his mum has terminal cancer, then it makes his decision easier to stomach. But whether it’s really about money, or because he hates Perth, or because he’s fallen out with someone / with the club, it doesn’t really change the fact does it? The fact is he seemingly made his mind up some time ago.
- Part of the painful reaction comes from the realisation - we loved him more than he loved us.
- Judd certainly is within his rights to choose where he will play his football in the future and doesn’t owe the club anything. By the same token the club certainly doesn’t owe him anything either and will treat his trade, I would expect, in a hardball manner.
- As an Eagle’s supporter it’s the team not the player that comes first. Because of this, whilst I obviously don’t wish Judd any ill - as a player or a person - but I certainly won’t be cheering him on any longer either. He’ll be another team’s player, pure and simple.
- I would have to say if you’re thinking of going back in 05, then maybe you don’t accept the captaincy. Losing a top line player is hard enough, losing your premiership captain just doesn’t sit well with anyone.
- I can accept Judd wants to go and live in Melbourne close to family and friends. That’s always been on the cards and is fair enough. But if that’s the case, contrary to what Paul Connors says it will be the club not Judd who calls the shots on which side he ends up at. If it’s about being in Melbourne, what difference does Richmond vs. Collingwood make? Best offer wins.
- Some say we were lucky to have enjoyed watching him for 6 seasons. Maybe. One things for sure watching highlights from the Judd era - if he goes on to prove a thorn in our side at his next club - will be hard to take.
- All is not lost - we’ve played some pretty handy Judd-less football this season and with a bit of compensation we will be back up and about in 08 and beyond.
- We need to drive a hard bargain with the trade. With four or five club realistically in the mix, we should be able to extract some useful picks / players in the wash up.
- It’s disappointing but life goes on. The blue and gold will be back next season. The team is way bigger than anyone player. Judd’s gone. Someone else will get a game and play their guts out and add a bit of weekend enjoyment to our lives.
Chris, so long, pity it couldn’t have worked out differently, all the best - maybe just goes easy on us next time we meet.
Sep 18th 2007
The secret to a good trade is being prepared to have him go into the preseason draft if he and one club try to play hardball on a trade. From everything said, he wants WC to get a good trade, but you never know what might happen.
I said else where that if he truely is returning for family reasons, his only critera should be that its a melbourne club!
JMTC
Molly
Sep 19th 2007
Yeah, I hadn’t thought about using the pre-season draft as a threat until reading an article this morning.
I’m sure Eagles will play hardball and this makes Collingwood a less likely option despite Judd’s preferences. I still think Carlton is a stretch but Melbourne is probably a good compromise for both camps: he would get to play 12 games at the MCG and play for his childhood club, the Eagles would get better draft picks than from Collingwood.
I also think in the back of the Eagles’ negotiating team mind is that question of who is going to be a bigger threat, which Collingwood obviously is, and play against that.
Sep 20th 2007
Any thoughts on the ethics of Judd being in the coaches box this year, knowing all along he’d be playing for someone else next year? I’m not suggesting he didn’t give his all on the ground. Just that the coaching group might not have been so ‘inclusive’ if Judd had been transparent with his intentions. This might be worth remembering when we come up against his new mob next year.
Sep 20th 2007
That is a very good point NudeNut. It does look compromised from Judd’s perspective. I guess the other side of it is with Suma poss leaving too (and the countless other Ass. Coaches who move about) - they have access to even greater “trade secrets” and I guess it’s accepted as part of the caper.