Chris Judd to Carlton
AFL News 2007
Links : Chris Judd | AFL News | AFL Trade News | West Coast Eagles
CHRIS Judd says he chose Carlton because they are a powerful club and are going places. The Blues and West Coast completed their trade deal for the Brownlow medallist late in Trade week.
Judd says he was always confident that the clubs would agree on trade and deal.
Judd also said that the past few weeks had been "pretty hectic" but he was delighted to have the paperwork completed and with his move to Carlton signed, sealed and delivered.
Judd is thought to be getting a five-year, million contract with the Blues which will complete the biggest player transfer since Tony Lockett left St Kilda for Sydney in 1994.
Carlton completed the (I think cheap) trade with key forward Josh Kennedy and first and second round selections, number three and 20 overall, in the national draft in return for Judd and the Eagles' third-round selection, number 46 overall.
"I didn't have huge doubts that the deal would get done," Judd said at a media conference at Carlton's Princes Park headquarters.
Judd said that he had selected Carlton because he thought they were a "powerful Melbourne club" that was going places (cough).
"They have got a young and exciting list," Judd said.
"I could be part of something from the ground up, that was the exciting part of it for me."
Judd had battled a groin injury for the second half of the season and had an operation in Sydney two weeks ago (The Blues will be preying that the injury wont return in 2008).
He said the surgery has helped ease some of the pain in his groin, but he will know more at a check-up in six weeks.
Carlton chief executive Greg Swann hailed it a "fantastic day" for the Blues after a "few anxious moments on the way".
"It's one of the most important days we've had here (at the football club)," Swann said.
"Chris Judd is the premier player in the competition and will be a major boost to Carlton as the club embarks on what is a new and exciting era. We look forward to officially welcoming Chris to the Carlton Football Club later this afternoon," Mr Swann said.
Conclusion :
Whilst Carlton has got the good end of the bargain, there's still many factors involved including the slug out of the salary cap, the dodgy groin and ankle problems (The Blues will be hoping that it wont return) and the longevity of Judd's career and on Judd's side of the deal - will Carlton be a (serious) finals contender in the next 5 to 10 years / until the end of Judds playing career, it would be a shame for Judd to finish at a poor performing club.
