Where will Judd end up?
The grand finalists have been decided and so to save ourselves the painful build-up or the tedious red-carpet gazing of Brownlow night, let’s get down to business and find some answers to where Chris Judd might be playing his football in 2008. Not that it matter, except for the fact the West Coast Eagles should be able to extricate something of value out of the transaction.
- Carlton - by virtue of Rich Pratt’s wallet and the a couple of very good looking early draft picks seem in the box seat. Nissy is on record as saying pick 3 and 20 yo key position project Josh Kennedy would not be enough. Add in another first rounder or even pick 20 and I think the Eagles will take it.
- Melbourne - I can’t really see what is of value here apart from pick 4. The rumoured move of Russell Robertson might unearth another early pick which could make Melbourne a very attractive proposition. Judd groupie Garry Lyon apparently pulled out all the spots during Judd’s recent visit, although the low profile of the Dees could be a stumbling block to the Judd camp (although he just wants to be in Melbourne for friends and family…)
- Essendon - heaven forbid an former Eagles boot studder, let alone former Eagles premiership captain dress in red and black but it seems the Bombers want a part of the Judd action. Matthew Lloyd added list management to the captaincy and offered up Gumbleton (for sure), Ryder (not convinced), and an assortment of Jetta (yep), Johns (hehe), Reimers (who?) and Bradley (dreaming). The senior coach role is still up for grabs and Suma is still a chance which may or may not be in their favour for landing Judd.
- Collingwood - if Essendon is bad, then the Pois can’t be far behind. Nissy knows the drill - they’ll offer up a bag of Nathan Buckley Brownlow memorabilia and DVD of the Footy Show. And surprise, surprise it won’t be enough. Just can’t see this deal getting done. In a million years.
- East Coast Eagles - there is a possibility, distant as it may be, that we retain Judd and allow him to be based in Melbourne. Could be strangely a brilliant move. Who knows.
Sep 23rd 2007
Carlton has to be the front runner as far as the Eagles are concerned, though Judd’s strong preference seems to be for Collingwood (which suggests that the Eagles club culture can’t have been a problem, given how brilliantly the Pies handled the Didak affair mid-season…..).
I think we’ll struggle to get pick 1 out of Carlton cause they really, really, really, really, really need a ruckman. Picks 3, 20, Kennedy and Fevola and we can start talking.
The other points that have been raised are Judd’s preference to play at the G and decent training facilities. Surely, if Carlton want him that much, Pratt can buy him his own gym. The G factor brings Melbourne into play but they’d have to throw in a lot of high picks, which means trading a lot of their players to other clubs. I can’t see anyone much on their list we’d want, apart from maybe Aaron Davey.
Essendon - forget it. They’re a bunch of mid-table struggling losers who aren’t getting any younger or any nearer the flag.
The East Coast Eagles thing is a big stretch. Don’t think Judd would be that interested. Could be an interesting future trend - imagine having a bunch of homesick Victorians which make up part of the team permanently based in Melbourne.
p.s. saw Cox, Selwood (who’s obviously had some major knee op and is heading home to Bendigo to recuperate) and Stenglein, at the airport last night. Felt like asking Tyson how he planned to tag Juddy next season, but he grabbed a surfboard and was off down the coast.
Oct 1st 2007
Not Melbourne or Essendon, apparently.
Oct 2nd 2007
I can feel it … he’s going to nominate Collingwood. Who will, of course, offer a bag of peanuts and Brad Dick. Eddie will complain to all and sundry that West Coast aren’t being realistic when they laugh at the offer, and that Collingwood couldn’t be expected to give up any of their young talent for Judd, who, after all, chose THEM.
Then we’ll really see what Judd’s made of - whether he’ll agree to go to another club, or be happy to screw us over and end up at Richmond. Because sure as all hell, Collingwood won’t be reasonable, and I can’t see the Eagles giving in to the bastards.
Oct 2nd 2007
Just reported that it’s Carlton.
Best deal for us plus anything that screws Collingwood is always a good thing.
Now, the big question, what do we want and what are we likely to get?
Do the Eagles play hardball and say it’s picks 1 and 3 or nothing? Or do we have a fallback of 3, 20 and Kennedy/Fevola?
Oct 2nd 2007
Yep it’s carlton and I am very relieved.
http://news.realfooty.com.au/judd-names-carlton-as-preferred-afl-club/20072602-1236.html
Oct 2nd 2007
I was hoping my last comment would do the trick. (I feel like a bigfooty poster, it’s all about me.)
I doubt that Carlton will give up pick 1, but it’s certainly better than listening to Eddie’s insulting offers and whining about being reasonable.