Judd and there really shouldn't be any argument.
Hodge has been tremendous in nearly every grand final he has performed in. Big time player and has also been as consistent as they come but Judd was the most dynamic, explosive midfielder the game had ever seen when he debuted. I don't even think West Coast would have been a serious challenger in 05, 06 etc if it wasn't for that player. When he left, West Coast were a shadow of what he and Cousins had made them. He goes to Carlton and immediately helps lift them into a finals bound football team.
No he wasn't. If you'd never followed footy before he started and bought into the hype perhaps. There actually were great midfielders in football before Judd came along believe it or not. Judd's peak years were about 2004-2006. Ablett's subsequent 7-8 seasons blew Judd's best to Mars and back (and everyone else's).
Judd was better than Hodge early, but was in decline for a long time before finally succumbing last year. Hodge was in his shadow for a fair while, but has proven to be far, far more durable. It's a lot closer now than I thought it would be.
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