crazzzy_grrl
2 Oct 2004, 00:42
Judd's natural progression
11:30:37 PM Fri 1 October, 2004
Gary Stocks
westcoasteagles.com.au
http://westcoasteagles.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=173779
Brilliant West Coast Eagles midfielder Chris Judd backed up from his Brownlow Medal triumph 12 days ago by winning his first West Coast Eagles club champion award on Friday night.
As expected Judd, who was third in his debut season of 2002 and runner-up last year, continued that natural progression to win the mantle from fellow all-Australian Chad Fletcher.
It was expected to be a tight finish and that proved to be the case, Judd polling 355 votes to win from Fletcher on 319 before 1100 guests at the club’s first function at the new Perth Convention Centre.
Judd, 21, established himself as perhaps the most explosive player in the competition and also won the award as the best player in the club’s elimination final loss against Sydney as well as the award for the fans’ on-line player of the year award.
Fletcher had an amazing finish to the season when he averaged 30 possessions a game after round 14 and combined with Judd, Dean Cox, Michael Braun, Daniel Kerr, Andrew Embley and Ben Cousins - when he returned from injury - to form one of the most potent midfield units in the competition.
Not surprisingly all of those players figured in the top 10.
Cox’s effort in assuming the No.1 ruck role in the absence of Michael Gardiner was recognised when he finished third in the count ahead of Braun and Kerr, who rounded out the top five.
Another under-rated midfielder, Josh Wooden, won the best clubman award. He recovered twice from a broken collarbone to play nine games ands then played in a premiership with WAFL club Subiaco.
Rookie of the year was another emerging ruckman Mark Seaby, who won a tight battle ahead of players like Sam Butler, Beau Waters, Mark Nicoski, Brett Jones, Ashley Hansen and Zac Beeck.
Dynamic forward Phil Matera, who kicked 61 goals for the year, finished just one vote behind Kerr and for the fourth time in his career was the club’s leading goal-kicker.
It was a big night for Matera who was also received life membership after racking up his 150th game earlier this season.
Also earning life membership was long-serving administrator Trevor Nisbett. Initially joining the club as football manager in 1989, Nisbett has been the chief executive for the past five years and it is doubtful whether any man has had a greater influence in club history.
Karl Langdon, a member of the 1992 premiership team, fell 50 games short of automatic life membership for his on-field exploits but was afforded that honour in light of his off-field contribution since retiring.
Award Winners
Ranking Player Votes 2004 games
1 Chris Judd 355 23
2 Chad Fletcher 319 22
3 Dean Cox 271 23
4 Michael Braun 262 23
5 Daniel Kerr 259 21
6 Phil Matera 258 23
7 Darren Glass 217 18
8 Andrew Embley 214 17
9 David Wirrpunda 212 22
10 Ben Cousins 192 17
Players of the Finals: Chris Judd
Rookie of the Year: Mark Seaby
Leading Goalkicker: Phil Matera (61 goals)
Best Clubman: Josh Wooden
Outstanding Player 4th: Michael Braun
Outstanding Player 3rd: Dean Cox
Runner-up: Chad Fletcher
Club Champion: Chris Judd
Life members: Trevor Nisbett, Phil Matera, Karl Langdon
11:30:37 PM Fri 1 October, 2004
Gary Stocks
westcoasteagles.com.au
http://westcoasteagles.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=173779
Brilliant West Coast Eagles midfielder Chris Judd backed up from his Brownlow Medal triumph 12 days ago by winning his first West Coast Eagles club champion award on Friday night.
As expected Judd, who was third in his debut season of 2002 and runner-up last year, continued that natural progression to win the mantle from fellow all-Australian Chad Fletcher.
It was expected to be a tight finish and that proved to be the case, Judd polling 355 votes to win from Fletcher on 319 before 1100 guests at the club’s first function at the new Perth Convention Centre.
Judd, 21, established himself as perhaps the most explosive player in the competition and also won the award as the best player in the club’s elimination final loss against Sydney as well as the award for the fans’ on-line player of the year award.
Fletcher had an amazing finish to the season when he averaged 30 possessions a game after round 14 and combined with Judd, Dean Cox, Michael Braun, Daniel Kerr, Andrew Embley and Ben Cousins - when he returned from injury - to form one of the most potent midfield units in the competition.
Not surprisingly all of those players figured in the top 10.
Cox’s effort in assuming the No.1 ruck role in the absence of Michael Gardiner was recognised when he finished third in the count ahead of Braun and Kerr, who rounded out the top five.
Another under-rated midfielder, Josh Wooden, won the best clubman award. He recovered twice from a broken collarbone to play nine games ands then played in a premiership with WAFL club Subiaco.
Rookie of the year was another emerging ruckman Mark Seaby, who won a tight battle ahead of players like Sam Butler, Beau Waters, Mark Nicoski, Brett Jones, Ashley Hansen and Zac Beeck.
Dynamic forward Phil Matera, who kicked 61 goals for the year, finished just one vote behind Kerr and for the fourth time in his career was the club’s leading goal-kicker.
It was a big night for Matera who was also received life membership after racking up his 150th game earlier this season.
Also earning life membership was long-serving administrator Trevor Nisbett. Initially joining the club as football manager in 1989, Nisbett has been the chief executive for the past five years and it is doubtful whether any man has had a greater influence in club history.
Karl Langdon, a member of the 1992 premiership team, fell 50 games short of automatic life membership for his on-field exploits but was afforded that honour in light of his off-field contribution since retiring.
Award Winners
Ranking Player Votes 2004 games
1 Chris Judd 355 23
2 Chad Fletcher 319 22
3 Dean Cox 271 23
4 Michael Braun 262 23
5 Daniel Kerr 259 21
6 Phil Matera 258 23
7 Darren Glass 217 18
8 Andrew Embley 214 17
9 David Wirrpunda 212 22
10 Ben Cousins 192 17
Players of the Finals: Chris Judd
Rookie of the Year: Mark Seaby
Leading Goalkicker: Phil Matera (61 goals)
Best Clubman: Josh Wooden
Outstanding Player 4th: Michael Braun
Outstanding Player 3rd: Dean Cox
Runner-up: Chad Fletcher
Club Champion: Chris Judd
Life members: Trevor Nisbett, Phil Matera, Karl Langdon