The Judd Saga: Carlton, Give us your best!
Former [tag]West Coast Eagles[/tag] captain [tag]Chris Judd[/tag] has nominated Carlton as his preferred club of destination in what will be a huge relief to Magpie-hating Eagles fans.
It now appears likely the Eagles will nab pick 3 as well as receiving pick 20 and Josh Kennedy or whatever they might be worth in the open market through on-trading them. Kennedy has his detractors, but the #4 selection in the 2005 draft has been solid in 22 games for the Blues and would come with plenty of yet untapped potential.
The Eagles are keen on Trent Cotchin and it remains to be seen whether the Victorian will last beyond the Tigers #2 selection, and further trading might not be ruled out.
Either way the options look significantly brighter for Eagles fans than the prospect of dealing with Collingwood, notoriously difficult traders, whose first selection is a lowly 14.
Oct 3rd 2007
It will be fascinating to see how all this plays out - whether the Eagles will hold out for the #1 pick or whether Carlton will hold out in refusing it.
For me it goes like this:
“Would you pick Judd with the #1 pick?” (given availability etc.) Obvious answer - ABSOLUTELY. So trading him for the #1 pick is a clear win to Carlton.
Next - “Would you add in #20 as a sweetener?” In the normal course of events - ABSOLUTELY, Judd’s worth 1 and 20. Keep going from there until the answer to “Would you …?” is “Erm … no … yes … maybe” and that’s about what the Eagles will be aiming for.
1, 20 and Kennedy and I’d be happy.
Oct 3rd 2007
I agree, and our sad little mate from the poo and wee colours is right. Ultimately, we have to deliver Judd into the draft if his preferred club(s) won’t deal.
Judd is worth the #1 pick without doubt, but the blues won’t want to lose face by giving up their hard won (round 22 loss) priority pick.
Judd’s next 100+ games may not be as spectacular as his first 140 odd, but I’ll bet they’ll be of more service to the rebuilding, finals hungry-blues than the first 100 odd of their prospective #1 pick.
I reckon they’ll regret paying him $1 mill + over 5 years when their young guns (Gibbs) mature and salary cap bites.
PS. welcome to Mike Broadbridge. Dockers loss, our gain. A bright finish to an merciless year.