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Master class - JUDD
Master class
Robert Walls | July 15, 2008
ON FRIDAY night at the MCG, I saw one of the most inspirational efforts of the season. It was Carlton captain Chris Judd's burst of brilliance and desperation at the start of the final quarter.
At that point, the Blues were trailing by 33 points. Within 10 minutes the Saints were hanging on by barely a goal when an exhausted Judd was pulled from the field. In that time, Judd had willed himself to clear the ball on five occasions from ruck contests. There was nothing the Saints and his immediate opponent, Jason Gram, could do. Repeatedly Judd won hard, contested ball to send the Blues forward. It was only when Judd left the field that St Kilda got back on top.
At the end of the game, Judd was ranked No. 1 for disposals (30), contested possessions (15), clearances (9) and, with four tackles, was ranked sixth. No other player had such a devastating effect on the game as Judd did at the start of the last quarter. So I was absolutely shocked when, on Saturday morning, The Age and the Herald Sun could not fit him into the best five players on the ground. Do we judge our champions too harshly?
It made me think of Judd and the player he was at the Eagles, and the player he has had to become at Carlton. It was a much easier ride out west. The bigger Subiaco ground meant he had more space in which to use his pace. He roved to Dean Cox, the best ruckman in the business. Now he rarely receives a direct hit out from a kid and a trier. The kid is Matthew Kreuzer, who will one day be very good. The trier is Cameron Cloke who gives it his all but, against quality top ruckmen, will always come up short. Out west Judd had excellent support from Ben Cousins and Daniel Kerr. No midfield pair at Carlton comes close to that couple, although under Judd's leadership example, Bryce Gibbs and Marc Murphy are heading in the right direction.
At Carlton, Judd has to earn every kick he gets and has to wear the opposition's best tagging efforts week in, week out. But not once does he complain; he just puts his head down and works his butt off to win as much contested ball in heavy traffic as he can. Interviewed after the game, Gram marvelled at how the Brownlow medallist could still handball to advantage, even when two and three opponents were trying to drag him down.
Geelong should seriously consider sending Gary Ablett to go and watch Judd play. The raging hot Brownlow favourite is getting tagged each week and appears to be struggling with the close attention. I watched Ablett closely on Saturday and he let Docker Ryan Crowley get under his skin with his tight checking tactics. Ablett was continually trying to draw the umpire's attention to what his opponent was doing, rather than focusing on the football.
Ablett pushed himself deep forward halfway through the first quarter and was happy to let Steve Johnson, Matthew Stokes and Cam Mooney batter and bump his opponent. So obsessed was Johnson with protecting Ablett, he stopped thinking of winning the football and had to be taken from the field by his coach. Now Judd just wouldn't do that. He never squeals to umpires. He never engages in push and shove with opponents off the ball. He doesn't get caught up in verbals and, when the heat is on, he doesn't look for an easy out by retreating to the open forward line. And unlike Ablett, Judd doesn't have anyone at Carlton who goes out of their way to batter and bruise his opponent. No, Judd just pushes into heavy traffic to use his courage, skills, smarts and amazing will power.
It will surprise most people to learn that Judd is just eight months older than Ablett. They both debuted in 2002 and Ablett, although shorter, is three kilograms heavier.
It is admirable that the Geelong players are keen to defend Ablett, but it is important that he learns to stand on his own two feet. Judd is universally respected because everyone knows he can handle any heat that comes his way. Ablett still has to pass that test. And could Ablett have done for Carlton what Judd has? No.
Master class
Robert Walls | July 15, 2008
ON FRIDAY night at the MCG, I saw one of the most inspirational efforts of the season. It was Carlton captain Chris Judd's burst of brilliance and desperation at the start of the final quarter.
At that point, the Blues were trailing by 33 points. Within 10 minutes the Saints were hanging on by barely a goal when an exhausted Judd was pulled from the field. In that time, Judd had willed himself to clear the ball on five occasions from ruck contests. There was nothing the Saints and his immediate opponent, Jason Gram, could do. Repeatedly Judd won hard, contested ball to send the Blues forward. It was only when Judd left the field that St Kilda got back on top.
At the end of the game, Judd was ranked No. 1 for disposals (30), contested possessions (15), clearances (9) and, with four tackles, was ranked sixth. No other player had such a devastating effect on the game as Judd did at the start of the last quarter. So I was absolutely shocked when, on Saturday morning, The Age and the Herald Sun could not fit him into the best five players on the ground. Do we judge our champions too harshly?
It made me think of Judd and the player he was at the Eagles, and the player he has had to become at Carlton. It was a much easier ride out west. The bigger Subiaco ground meant he had more space in which to use his pace. He roved to Dean Cox, the best ruckman in the business. Now he rarely receives a direct hit out from a kid and a trier. The kid is Matthew Kreuzer, who will one day be very good. The trier is Cameron Cloke who gives it his all but, against quality top ruckmen, will always come up short. Out west Judd had excellent support from Ben Cousins and Daniel Kerr. No midfield pair at Carlton comes close to that couple, although under Judd's leadership example, Bryce Gibbs and Marc Murphy are heading in the right direction.
At Carlton, Judd has to earn every kick he gets and has to wear the opposition's best tagging efforts week in, week out. But not once does he complain; he just puts his head down and works his butt off to win as much contested ball in heavy traffic as he can. Interviewed after the game, Gram marvelled at how the Brownlow medallist could still handball to advantage, even when two and three opponents were trying to drag him down.
Geelong should seriously consider sending Gary Ablett to go and watch Judd play. The raging hot Brownlow favourite is getting tagged each week and appears to be struggling with the close attention. I watched Ablett closely on Saturday and he let Docker Ryan Crowley get under his skin with his tight checking tactics. Ablett was continually trying to draw the umpire's attention to what his opponent was doing, rather than focusing on the football.
Ablett pushed himself deep forward halfway through the first quarter and was happy to let Steve Johnson, Matthew Stokes and Cam Mooney batter and bump his opponent. So obsessed was Johnson with protecting Ablett, he stopped thinking of winning the football and had to be taken from the field by his coach. Now Judd just wouldn't do that. He never squeals to umpires. He never engages in push and shove with opponents off the ball. He doesn't get caught up in verbals and, when the heat is on, he doesn't look for an easy out by retreating to the open forward line. And unlike Ablett, Judd doesn't have anyone at Carlton who goes out of their way to batter and bruise his opponent. No, Judd just pushes into heavy traffic to use his courage, skills, smarts and amazing will power.
It will surprise most people to learn that Judd is just eight months older than Ablett. They both debuted in 2002 and Ablett, although shorter, is three kilograms heavier.
It is admirable that the Geelong players are keen to defend Ablett, but it is important that he learns to stand on his own two feet. Judd is universally respected because everyone knows he can handle any heat that comes his way. Ablett still has to pass that test. And could Ablett have done for Carlton what Judd has? No.
Walls is just over analysing Judd, looking for anything to pump him up. In saying that, I do rate Judd highly. This isn't a Judd bagging post.
