Chris Judd

[Asgardian]

I just watched the tape of yesterdays game, again, with the intention of paying particular attention to the TOTAL game of Chris Judd.
On first viewing, he struck me as an exceptional talent, nothing I have seen today changes that opinion.
However I have some, what I hope to be received as constructive criticisms, about his play.

1/- When he is not in possession, he seems to be caught out ball watching. this is not uncommon for young players. What I saw was that he would be watching the play unfold, while his direct opponent would take off to be the link man, or go to man, as Port gained possession. This was happening because he was not maintaining contact on his direct opponent.

2/- Also when not in possession, he seemed to be unwilling to play forward when the Eagles had control of the ball. This may be a coach's instruction, but if not, I would like to see him work a bit harder to provide another option when his team-mates were streaming forward.

3/- On a couple of occasions when he was chasing a Port player, he did not seem to have the same acceleration he had when in possession, going towards the goals. This is just a young player needing to learn that 100% is required at all times.

Like I said, he is an exceptional talent, if he addressed a few issues he would be even better, like Macca said, I wish he was at Port.

 

[bunsen burner]

I would have to agree, but it is his first season. He wasn't as big an influence on yesterday's match as he has been in previous games, but he had a few falshes of absolute brilliance. He is the best first year player I have ever seen.

 

[carlyp]

As I have said in previous posts I cant wait till he gets experience and some time onfield!!!!! He's going to be a superstar..Win the brownlow once if not maybe 4 times! We are bloody lucky to have him!

 

[Thrawn666]

Id agree with all of Asgardian's points, particularly the pace chasing a player but these things can all be rectified. Cousins had the same problem with tackling and chasing when he first started but fixed it. I also think back to when Ben started and he had nowhere near the immediate impact Judd had. I remember in Ben's first few games how often he got caught holding the ball and thinking "this guy is supposed to be something good?". Well we all know how that turned out, and with Judd streets ahead already he has the potential to be even better. Just a matter of making it a reality.

 

[hourn]

they are all very good points Asgardian, but the best thing about them is that all of those probems have to do with experience.

Im sure he will fix them all up with a bit of time in the competition.

Point 1 is in particular got to do with experience at that level of the game, and to a certain extent a player can be overawed with the pace around him.

When i first played the game i was always a bit reluctant to go into the scraps because i would always seem to get a bit lost and not be able to find the ball. 5 years on, and now that i've got the grasp of the game, i can go into a scrap with much more confidence and will come out with the ball in hand if i use my head smartly enough - something i had no chance of doing when i first played the game.

 

[noodle]

it says alot for the kid when he has played 6 afl games and we are watching him so closely.

anyone care to guess at how many games he'll play before he gets tagged?

 

[eagleskickass]

I'll say he might even be tagged next week against the kangas in his current form!

 

[Dan26]

After having watched Chris Judd for the first 6 weeks, I'd say he has all the makings of a champion. He looks like he has been playing for 5 years. His is big, agile, quick, and powerful. I have never seen an 18 year oold with his presence.

The Eagles are very lucky to have him.

 

[Macca19]

Originally posted by Dan26
He looks like he has been playing for 5 years.

ACtually it looks like hes been playing for 15 years

 

[PAfolwr]

I agree wit Bunsen Burner about being the best first year player I have seen.
The things that Asgardian has said are not only all related to experience as hourn has said, but also related to who your coach is while you are gaining that experience.
I have no doubt he has the right coach for those type of things.
One player I would like on our list.
He should win the award come years end as long as he keeps level headed.

 

[iceman]

A great pick up by the club - no doubt about that

The best thing about Judd is the confidence he shows in backing himself to take on opponents, very surprising to see an 18 year old with the ability to take on and beat the opposition whilst composing himself to kick a goal.

Ive loved watching him play this year

 

[jod23]

Amazing how we are watching him so closely for flaws in his game...cos on the surface it appears that he doesnt have any

So glad we passed on Polack.

 

[Frodo]

Some good points, Chris.
What worries me this season is that clubs may target his shoulder. Make some hard hip and shoulders and the odd shirtfont. I hope they stand up as the recons are less than a year old.

 

[hourn]

Originally posted by Frodo
Some good points, Chris.
What worries me this season is that clubs may target his shoulder. Make some hard hip and shoulders and the odd shirtfont. I hope they stand up as the recons are less than a year old.

yep, that is definetaly a concern.

Is it Judd the player, that was saying his recons have made his shoulder???? because i dont really buy into that, i think it is more of a case of trying to rest the worries of supporters. I really dont see how you joint can get stronger after two recons. If they have got stronger, then i'll stand mistaken, and be very happy.

 

[thegur]

i'm no doctor, but I've heard from seperate sportspeople on seperate occasions (including Judd), that shoulder reconstructions actually make them stronger, something about putting the joints back together, however the strength comes at a cost, less movement in the joint.

he has had one on each shoulder.

like i said, i'm no doctor, but you may very well stand corrected!


over and out

thegur

 

[King Corey]

WC fans - I'm curious if any of you are paranoid about keeping this guy in Perth after his 1st 2 years?

 

[Visro]

Originally posted by King Corey
WC fans - I'm curious if any of you are paranoid about keeping this guy in Perth after his 1st 2 years?

Not really. We have a lot of Victorians in our team already (nearly a third - actually 30%) and the only recent high profile player to move back home interstate was Fraser Gehrig who wasn't exactly loved over here. Plus the fact that he would be mobbed in Melbourne if he were to move back there and continue playing the way he is.

 

[mentalgrind]

Not at all, by all accounts he was a bit ify on comming over to start with but is now loveing it and is great mates with Hummer.

 

[eagleskickass]

Originally posted by thegur
i'm no doctor, but I've heard from seperate sportspeople on seperate occasions (including Judd), that shoulder reconstructions actually make them stronger, something about putting the joints back together, however the strength comes at a cost, less movement in the joint.

he has had one on each shoulder.

like i said, i'm no doctor, but you may very well stand corrected!


over and out

thegur

I heard something like that last season when i was talking to a local club physio about a bloke on my clubs league team, reconstructions make the structure of the shoulder stronger, but the movement available becomes less. Thats what i heard anyway

 

[Thrawn666]

Originally posted by King Corey
WC fans - I'm curious if any of you are paranoid about keeping this guy in Perth after his 1st 2 years?

Despite what people may say, I am still very nervous about keeping Judd once his contract expires. Increasingly so after every good performance he puts in.

 

[King Corey]

Originally posted by Thrawn666

Despite what people may say, I am still very nervous about keeping Judd once his contract expires. Increasingly so after every good performance he puts in.

Good luck. The Eagles recruiters should be commended for going for the best player (actually the best in the draft I thought beforehand) rather than the 'soft' option of best local. Before the draft all I heard about was his athleticism but it's good to see he can actually use the pill too.

 

[Voice of Reason]

Originally posted by King Corey
WC fans - I'm curious if any of you are paranoid about keeping this guy in Perth after his 1st 2 years?

I don't know about paranoid, but obviously there's a risk that he may wish to move on. I doubt it though - we've got a pretty good record of keeping interstate players because:
- we're a great club
- we are building a good team towards a flag under a respected coach
- the lifestyle is pretty good over here
- we look after the players.

This theory that players want to "go home" may work for the more immature ones, but generally I think it's way overstated - often by the ever-greedy player-managers who encourage such speculation.

The Pavlich scenario at present is a case in point. He's having his value talked up under the pretext that he wants to "go home". I've never spoken to him, but I would've thought that a footballer with a decent character would play to win games and flags, not to be able to go home to Mum and be tucked in every night (of course, in the short term, I'd say Port Adelaide would be a good place to go to win a premiership).

It also works both ways - Darren Bewick for example.

 

[jod23]

I'm a little worried of losing him back to Victoria but with our great record with keeping interstate players i think we should be alright. But if he really wants to go home...thats ok i suppose because he will get a ****load of talent for him. I hope he stays though for obvious reasons.

 

[WA]

There's always a degree of concern over players wanting to go home. As someone else mentioned it often comes down to maturity. Judd plays beyond his years on the field and hopefully he carries this off the field as well.

Yes, winning a premiership may be more obtainable in the short term with another club, but Judd has plenty of time ahead of him and it doesn't take a Rhodes Scholar to know we are only going to continue improving

 

[iceman]

With the impact that Judd has had already, it is a concern that he may be pursued strongly by other clubs, come the end of his contract

Its always gonna come down to the individual, money is obviously i factor but i dont think it should make the difference between staying or going (i hope!!)