http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2004/07/05/1089000086081.html?from=storyrhs
Judd gives Vics time to save for homecoming
By Craig O'Donoghue
Perth
July 6, 2004
Victorian clubs will prepare war chests over the next 18 months to tempt Eagle Chris Judd back home with offers in excess of $500,000 a season after the West Coast superstar said yesterday he would not renegotiate his contract until the end of 2005.
The 20-year-old signed a two-year contract, believed to be worth more than $300,000 a season, midway through last year and the early decision stopped Victorian clubs from tempting him with huge offers at the end of the season. Judd yesterday confirmed he would not start negotiating another contract until the end of next year and one player manager, Liam Pickering, from the IMG group, said that advanced notice would allow Victorian clubs time to prepare a mountain of money to tear him away from the Eagles.
"The clubs know he's coming out of contract next year and that he'll wait until the end of the season, so they'll keep enough room in their cap to get him," Pickering said.
"A West Australian bloke would never leave West Coast, but when you come from Victoria, there are strong ties at home.
"The worst-case scenario for West Coast is if it goes to next year because then they'll have to pay his market value to keep him.
"Not a lot of players leave clubs for money, so the Melbourne clubs would be preparing now so they have enough room in their cap to blow him away. If I was a lowly Melbourne-based club, I'd give him an offer too good to refuse.
"If you were earning $350,000, you wouldn't leave for $400,000. But if they offered you an extra $200,000, you've got to think about it. You can set yourself up for life on that sort of money.
"It wouldn't surprise me if clubs offered him more than half a million dollars to leave and there's not many players who are worth that much money."
Judd has gone from teenage recruit to AFL star faster than any player in recent memory. He was a placegetter in West Coast's best and fairest in both of his first two seasons, represented Australia in the international rules series in Ireland, has been named joint vice-captain of the club and is one of the favourites for this year's Brownlow Medal.
Judd's market value would soar if he won the Brownlow, while best-and-fairest awards or All-Australian jumpers would also send his value skyrocketing.
Judd has taken his football to an even higher level this year, dominating the stoppages with his pace. That skill has made it almost impossible for taggers to stop him and resulted in Judd leading the league for clearances.
The Eagles will try to re-sign him quickly next year, but Judd said he was not interested in talking until the end of the 2005 season.
"I liken it to when I do my grocery shopping on Tuesdays. I don't go grocery shopping on Wednesdays again because I have food in the cupboard," he said. "That's what a contract is. You sign until the end of that period."
Judd gives Vics time to save for homecoming
By Craig O'Donoghue
Perth
July 6, 2004
Victorian clubs will prepare war chests over the next 18 months to tempt Eagle Chris Judd back home with offers in excess of $500,000 a season after the West Coast superstar said yesterday he would not renegotiate his contract until the end of 2005.
The 20-year-old signed a two-year contract, believed to be worth more than $300,000 a season, midway through last year and the early decision stopped Victorian clubs from tempting him with huge offers at the end of the season. Judd yesterday confirmed he would not start negotiating another contract until the end of next year and one player manager, Liam Pickering, from the IMG group, said that advanced notice would allow Victorian clubs time to prepare a mountain of money to tear him away from the Eagles.
"The clubs know he's coming out of contract next year and that he'll wait until the end of the season, so they'll keep enough room in their cap to get him," Pickering said.
"A West Australian bloke would never leave West Coast, but when you come from Victoria, there are strong ties at home.
"The worst-case scenario for West Coast is if it goes to next year because then they'll have to pay his market value to keep him.
"Not a lot of players leave clubs for money, so the Melbourne clubs would be preparing now so they have enough room in their cap to blow him away. If I was a lowly Melbourne-based club, I'd give him an offer too good to refuse.
"If you were earning $350,000, you wouldn't leave for $400,000. But if they offered you an extra $200,000, you've got to think about it. You can set yourself up for life on that sort of money.
"It wouldn't surprise me if clubs offered him more than half a million dollars to leave and there's not many players who are worth that much money."
Judd has gone from teenage recruit to AFL star faster than any player in recent memory. He was a placegetter in West Coast's best and fairest in both of his first two seasons, represented Australia in the international rules series in Ireland, has been named joint vice-captain of the club and is one of the favourites for this year's Brownlow Medal.
Judd's market value would soar if he won the Brownlow, while best-and-fairest awards or All-Australian jumpers would also send his value skyrocketing.
Judd has taken his football to an even higher level this year, dominating the stoppages with his pace. That skill has made it almost impossible for taggers to stop him and resulted in Judd leading the league for clearances.
The Eagles will try to re-sign him quickly next year, but Judd said he was not interested in talking until the end of the 2005 season.
"I liken it to when I do my grocery shopping on Tuesdays. I don't go grocery shopping on Wednesdays again because I have food in the cupboard," he said. "That's what a contract is. You sign until the end of that period."
Gardiner would no doubt help him jump.