Chris Judd - A Future Forward ?

[AndyLucimitis]

During the long and boring debates about the Judd trade and also his comparison to Luke Hodge, one of the criticisms leveled at Judd was his longevity in the game, in that, once he lost his speed, he was not a player who could play other positions.

I was listening to Mark Fine interviewing Barry Rawlings (ex. Hawth/Rich) who is now head coach at Judds old school Caulfield Grammar. He talked about how they'd often play him up forward and he kicked bags of 13 goals, 6 goals etc.

Watching him spell on Sunday up forward, particularly the 3rd quarter, suggests there is still 'life in the old dog' once he hits 30+.

I can't see why he couldn't play an Andrew Walker type role with great success.

I'd be pretty confident that his ability to read and win the ball and his underrated marking strength would make him a 40-50+ a year goalkicker.

Thoughts ?

 

[Beloved]

I'd rather leave him where he does his best work and see what he's like when he hits 30. Some guys can continue to go, some can't; it depends on which he becomes.

 

[Kades_Dad]

He's a good contested mark and snap for goal. He played in the forward line for West Coast when he was having groin problems.

In four or so more years, yes. Not now though.

 

[OldBlueFan]

I doubt that CJ would be interested in a "diminished" role in football beyond his days as an A-grade midfielder. When you hear him interviewed, he sounds like a man on a mission.

I reckon he'll stick it out for a flag with the Blues, but if he sees the club on the wane before we reach #17 (a la St Kilda) I wouldn't expect him to hang around just to extend his football career.

 

[First Poster]

I'm pretty sure he did kick 50 goals in a season for West Coast. So not an unreasonable suggestion.

Edit: I was really wrong, 50 in his first 2 years. Still good going!

 

[juzz_e]

I'm pretty sure he did kick 50 goals in a season for West Coast. So not an unreasonable suggestion.

Most is 29 from 23 games.

 

[95blues]

Definitely not the type of guy to stick around for the sake of extending his career. He'll call it a day the second he realizes he isn't able to sustain his usual high level. Especially now that he's a dad.

 

[Faz 2000]

He's an interesting character in that regard. Whilst there are guys who LIVE for footy, would play until they're 40, Judd just seems to be the ultimate modern professional. It doesn't mean he doesn't care about his club or his teammates, or that he's not passionate... but he's a pro. This is his job, and he takes it very seriously. And when he doesn't think he can do it anymore, he just won't.

I think he'll get spells in the forward line over the next couple of years due to sub-rule and (hopefully) Ratten wanting to keep him fresh for big finals.

Hope he runs riot against the Eagles. We need him to pull out an all-timer.

 

[AlecDuncan]

I'm inclined to think we should play him out of the square when he's being tagged as heavily as he was on Sunday. It gives him a chance to use his pace off the line where taggers can't scrag him. Worth doing if he's finding the going hard in the middle.

 

[Blue since 72]

Reckon he might only play for another 2 or 3 years and will continue to spend time in the foward line but at this point I don't think he'll become a permanent forward.

He's a midfielder through and through and as others have stated he won't be playing well into his 30's.

 

[Sublime]

Reckon it would be a midfield or bust proposition for Judd. As soon as he starts to slide too far i think he'll call it a day.

Just put the man out to stud then i say, let him plant his seed in many fine mares.

 

[Thrawn]

He'll need to improve his kicking for goal first if you ever entertain the thought of him up forward. It's the biggest weakness of his game.

 

[Beloved]

He'll need to improve his kicking for goal first if you ever entertain the thought of him up forward. It's the biggest weakness of his game.

He seems to have rectified that issue this season.

 

[The Magenius]

He seems to have rectified that issue this season.

Not enough IMO, he is just not a fantastic set shot. he is at best 50-50.
I would be leaning more towards playing him off a half back in future to get him out of the action but still let him setup play.
I really don't think forward is a good option for him.

 

[jonoman89]

He's a midfielder. Leave him there.

Despite his hanger on the weekend, marking is not his best asset. Neither are set shots.

 

[Bluebear]

I'd be pretty confident that his ability to read and win the ball and his underrated marking strength would make him a 40-50+ a year goalkicker.

Thoughts ?

I remember that debate with the WCE supporters. Aparently he isn't that good overhead

.......apparently.

Yes.....that's the two rucks he is towering over.

Hardly surprising that Ryder is facing the wrong way trying to spoil. Strong contest.

 

[SideBySide10]

I think most opposition clubs would like to see him up forward, so he doesn't cut them apart in the middle.

Judd should forever be a midfielder so he can have the biggest influence on a game.

I remember at Collingwood we said Nathan Buckley could become a permanent forward in his latter years, but quality players like that can play in the middle even until their mid to late-30 because they are just that far better than everyone else.

That's what makes them the genuine stars of the game.

 

[The Coach]

Good pic bb but at CFC marking and goal kicking have definitely been CJ's weaknesses and I cannot believe I am going to agree with a Collingwood supporter

 

[T2B_]

Dunno about being put there as a full on forward but I've noticed in a few games (last week being one of them) sometimes late in the games they switch Juddy forward and Walker into the guts. It's not a bad like for like switch IMO and can work rather nicely and Chris gets a spell.

 

[Wickzki]

I would be leaning more towards playing him off a half back in future to get him out of the action but still let him setup play.

Agreed. I think he'll take over the dominant half back role just as Dane Swan has for the Pies. Enough of the midfield to dominate but not quite as hard as what is being required of him playing in the middle. It's still a huge role to any team planning on winning premierships and doesn't ask noticeably less.

 

[Team Mo']

Juddy would have kicked those goals out of the midfield or the ruck back in his high school days...