I am not sure what to make of him at the moment. I don't think I have ever seen him play a worse month of football, and that has now stretched to 6 weeks. Usually after a down game you can be sure he will kick back and dominate the next, but at the minute he just doesn't influence the game like he has in the past. Not only that but his opponent is flat out beating him.
Is it the lack of Murphy and Carazzo?
Natural decline due to age and his worn body?
Carrying an injury?
Judd is an absolute champion of the game, but this is the first time in his career when he has failed to respond when his team really needs him. Carlton could still be a finals contender (perhaps capable of even more if they are still in contention when Murphy gets back) and they need to snag a couple of wins over the next 3 games, and usually you would expect Judd to be the man who really turns it on. But even last night when the Blues were up and about early, Judd was invisible. If he had of impacted the game like he really should have, matched up against a young guy like Mitch Duncan, I reckon the Blues win that game.
Now before I get a million "he has carried Carlton for so long" replies, I want to add that he hasn't really acheived anything with Carlton, they have won 1 final in his time there. Now is the time he needs to step up and start "carrying" them, when they have a legitimate team and a legitimate chance to win finals.
West Coast at Subi next week before the bye and Calrton need Judd to play an absolute classic Judd game to even think about winning. Up against the Selwood boys and his old crowd, it will be an epic effort. This is the time champions step up, I am certainly not writing him off he is exactly the kind of guy who could do it, and he has the chance to increase his legend if he can do it next week.
But if he plays in the same mould of Judd over the past 6 weeks, I fear we may be witnessing an all too quick, rapid decline of a true champion of the game.
Is it the lack of Murphy and Carazzo?
Natural decline due to age and his worn body?
Carrying an injury?
Judd is an absolute champion of the game, but this is the first time in his career when he has failed to respond when his team really needs him. Carlton could still be a finals contender (perhaps capable of even more if they are still in contention when Murphy gets back) and they need to snag a couple of wins over the next 3 games, and usually you would expect Judd to be the man who really turns it on. But even last night when the Blues were up and about early, Judd was invisible. If he had of impacted the game like he really should have, matched up against a young guy like Mitch Duncan, I reckon the Blues win that game.
Now before I get a million "he has carried Carlton for so long" replies, I want to add that he hasn't really acheived anything with Carlton, they have won 1 final in his time there. Now is the time he needs to step up and start "carrying" them, when they have a legitimate team and a legitimate chance to win finals.
West Coast at Subi next week before the bye and Calrton need Judd to play an absolute classic Judd game to even think about winning. Up against the Selwood boys and his old crowd, it will be an epic effort. This is the time champions step up, I am certainly not writing him off he is exactly the kind of guy who could do it, and he has the chance to increase his legend if he can do it next week.
But if he plays in the same mould of Judd over the past 6 weeks, I fear we may be witnessing an all too quick, rapid decline of a true champion of the game.



