Carlton’s Juddernaut has stalled
Roar Pro By Keagan Ryan, 15 Jun 2012 Keagan Ryan is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- AFL, Carlton Blues, Chris Judd, West Coast Eagles
James Kelly of Geelong tackles Chris Judd of Carlton during the AFL Round 09 match between the Carlton Blues and the Geelong Cats at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. Slattery Images
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Dual Brownlow Medallist and Carlton champion Chris Judd looked shot in last night’s 10-point loss to West Coast.
Facing his old club at Patersons Stadium, Judd was appalling. Eagles midfielder Scott Selwood wore the champ like a glove, not leaving his side until the final siren sounded.
When the game needed to be won Judd was nowhere to be seen. At the start of the final quarter, with the Blues holding a slender three-point lead Judd did not start in the middle, nor was he there for the next centre bounce after the Eagles had regained the lead through a Jack Darling goal.
Obviously the finger cannot be pointed solely at Judd for not being included in the starting midfield, but it is testament to Scott Selwood, forcing Carlton to restructure their side in an attempt to free up their skipper.
Judd managed just one touch in the final quarter, making it a grand total of just 12 disposals for the match.
Truth be told even superstars are entitled to have an off-game occasionally, but Judd’s below par statistical output was just the beginning.
The Carlton captain’s attitude was atrocious. His job as skipper is to set an example and provide leadership for his club. His reaction to a free-kick paid against him late in the last quarter was terrible.
The resulting 50 metre penalty for remonstrating with Matt Priddis gifted Dean Cox a goal from the square. The game was still very much alive, the Blues trailed by just 11 points with half the quarter remaining. Judd selfishly let his frustration overcome him and consequently his team paid the price.
An earlier incident further accentuated Judd’s poor performance when he spilled an uncontested mark on centre wing much to the pleasure of the Eagles fans, who booed Judd’s every move. Judd in top flight is so clean and fumble-free, dropping an uncontested mark at the best of times is unacceptable let alone for a player of Judd’s class.
Judd’s form throughout this year has been below his lofty standards. His Champion Data average this year is 102 points per game, his lowest average since the statistical indicator was introduced in 2005.
Perhaps injury is weighing down the champ. Whatever the problem is, Blues fans will be hoping the bye cures their captain, for he will be needed in the coming weeks as Hawthorn and Collingwood await.
The Crowd Says (17) | Page 1 of Comments
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- Explore:
- AFL, Carlton Blues, Chris Judd, West Coast Eagles
June 15th 2012 @ 8:42am
andyincanberra said | June 15th 2012 @ 8:42am | Report comment
As a Collingwood supporter it would have been in my best interests if Carlton had have got up last night, but I really do have a hard time cheering for Carlton. In many ways I feel sorry for Judd, he is expected to carry the whole team, even when playing injured as he was last night. But then I look at his jumper and any sympathy soon dissipates.
The main reason that I dislike watching Judd is nothing to do with him as a player, he is rightly considered a champion. It’s more to do with the way the commentators fawn over him. If I ever hear Bruce Mcavaney refer to Judd as ‘The Champ’ during general play, or see any more ‘Judd-cam’ when he is warming up, I think that I’ll throw my beer at the TV.
Last night one of the commentators lamented how the West Coast crowd was booing Chris Judd. The reason that they were booing him is because the media build him up so much, it gives opposition fans the opportunity to chop down a tall poppy.
June 15th 2012 @ 10:19am
TomC said | June 15th 2012 @ 10:19am | Report comment
They boo him because he left their club.
But they should show him more respect because they won them a premiership.
I thought it was pretty ordinary, actually. If Chris Judd had never played footy the Eagles would have one fewer piece of silverware in the trophy case, and surely that’s what it boils down to.
June 15th 2012 @ 5:06pm
Macca said | June 15th 2012 @ 5:06pm | Report comment
Andy do you have similar issue watching “Daisy”, Pendlebury, Swan et el?
June 15th 2012 @ 5:24pm
andyincanberra said | June 15th 2012 @ 5:24pm | Report comment
G’day Macca, the point that I was making is not so much about Judd himself, but the way the media elevate him. You just have to look at the articles in the afl media today to see that on the one hand he is elevated when is getting 30+ touches a game, on the other hand, when he gets 12 touches, there’s articles everywhere (including right here) about how his ‘appalling’ performance.
June 15th 2012 @ 9:10am
mds1970 said | June 15th 2012 @ 9:10am | Report comment
I expected Judd would bounce back to his best last night, but it just didn’t happen.
With Collingwood and Dane Swan having the bye this weekend, I was seriously tempted to make Judd my Dream Team captain. Thankfully I didn’t.
June 15th 2012 @ 10:54am
mark said | June 15th 2012 @ 10:54am | Report comment
Bigggest problem aat club is Ratten ! They are club going back wards. If t lose next match ratten wont be there heard it first here
June 15th 2012 @ 5:09pm
Macca said | June 15th 2012 @ 5:09pm | Report comment
Get a grip, they just lost to the ladder leader who cam of an 11 day break after playing 4 games in 18 days without their reigning B&F, their best marking forward and a key defender in Perth with Judd carrying an injury.
They wre getting outpleyed, Ratten changed the game plan and they got back into it.
June 15th 2012 @ 12:30pm
Go Blues said | June 15th 2012 @ 12:30pm | Report comment
Keagan Ryan, as a Rookie, if you are going to write an opinion piece re C. Judd, an out and out champion, you should start by getting your facts straight. For instance, your comment “Eagles midfielder Scott Selwood wore the champ like a glove, not leaving his side until the final siren sounded”, is totally incorrect. Both Selwood brothers played on Judd last night, not just Scott – what was the old statement – two onto one etc. etc. Unfortunately Carlton do not have two Judd’s at the moment; perhaps when Murphy gets back, the Selwood brothers would have more to contend with!
Also, did you take into account that Carlton (and C. Judd) have played 4 games in 18 days – one in Adelaide and one in Perth; and all twilight and/or night games, two in most inclement weather. West Coast has played only 3 games in the same time frame, with two home games played at twilight and one game played away but during the day, a big asset when it comes to recovery time, injuries etc.
When you grow up to be a non-rookie, you hopefully will learn to take into account all the facts to do with games and that the AFL”fixtures” games to suit itself and TV stations etc., and does not give all teams a level playing field; particularly notable last night. If you wish to become a respected commentator, I suggest you start by placing a level playing field squarely in front of you and go from there. Good luck!!
June 15th 2012 @ 2:39pm
DanMan said | June 15th 2012 @ 2:39pm | Report comment
Where is your roar status “Go Blues”? This is an opinion piece as much as it is reporting – I don’t a gree with everything in the article but it has to be said, the captain needs to steer the ship and Judd was missing in action. Carlton is now 6-6 this was another opportunity lost and he had no bearing on the result. Sure he was tagged but all top midfielders are. Nothing new. Maybe Carlton should look at their other midfielders who should be doing more to protect the captain from tags; again not a new tactic.
The draw is what it is. There has been no better alternative provided on this site nor in any forum across the land. Using the draw is an excuse, nothing more. Yes playing WCE at Patersons is a tough ask but thats why the good teams don’t lose to inferior ones like the blues have recently. Win some of those games and you wouldnt be so upset about losing the tough ones.
June 15th 2012 @ 3:08pm
Keagan Ryan said | June 15th 2012 @ 3:08pm | Report comment
It’s not about who plays on Judd or how many games they’ve played in the last whatever weeks. The body language and leadership shown by Judd last night was questionable. Admittedly the 50m was a very harsh call but nonetheless Judd’s actions across the game weren’t good enough. Judd didn’t attack the contest like he normally, he lacked effort and desire. How are players supposed to draw inspiration from their leader when he himself cannot contribute a decent effort?
It’s a shame one-eye supporters still blame the fixture and weather conditions for sub-par performances. A fair and balanced fixture is basically impossible to generate. Don’t make excuses, cop it on the chin and move on.
June 15th 2012 @ 5:12pm
Macca said | June 15th 2012 @ 5:12pm | Report comment
Keegan I agree – I would also point out that the 50m against Judd was ridiculous, as the commentators attested to at the time so to label it “attrocious” is a bit much.
Also no metnion of the injury Judd has been carrying, surely it should be included for blance.
June 15th 2012 @ 3:54pm
Go Blues said | June 15th 2012 @ 3:54pm | Report comment
Hi again, Keagan. My reply to your comments were not about blame – they were about facts.
Don’t let them get in the way of a good story eh?
The facts are (1) the two Selwood brothers played on Judd last night, not just Scott
and
(2) Carlton were required to play 4 games in just 18 days – no other team in the competition will have to do this, this year.
June 15th 2012 @ 4:22pm
DanMan said | June 15th 2012 @ 4:22pm | Report comment
Did you not read the previous post?
Fact 1. Elite midfielders are tagged week in week out.
Fact 2. Carlton had 6 day rests in between those games sunday to saturday, saturday to friday, friday to thursday. The average break is 6 days. Nothing unfair about it. Clear?
Fact 3. Smart teams will use other midfielders to block etc to help their prime movers. Carlton do not fit the description of a smart team, neither do their coaching panel.
Fact 4. WCE and Freo travel to the eastern states every second week while melbourne teams can have extended runs at home.
June 15th 2012 @ 4:45pm
Go Blues said | June 15th 2012 @ 4:45pm | Report comment
Hi DanMan,
The facts are that West Coast Eagles do not travel every second weekend. They play at Patersons Stadium 12 times this year, and away 10 times – check the AFL fixture (not Draw).
The other facts are those outlined at (1) and (2) in my previous “Say” to Keagan.
June 15th 2012 @ 5:15pm
DanMan said | June 15th 2012 @ 5:15pm | Report comment
One of those 12 is against the shockers – can’t really prevent that one. so its 11 /10.
Obviously you don’t get it so I’m not going to bother.
June 15th 2012 @ 5:22pm
Macca said | June 15th 2012 @ 5:22pm | Report comment
So West Coasts “away” game at home doesn’t count but Melbourne teams “away” games at home do?
June 15th 2012 @ 5:27pm
Go Blues said | June 15th 2012 @ 5:27pm | Report comment
Hi Dan Man again,
Where do the Eagles play the Dockers then?
Regardless of who is the home team, the fact is the Eagles play at Patersons Stadium 12 times this season and 10 away, so they do not, as you assert, travel every second weekend. Do please check the footy fixture if you believe I am not correct.
Your assertions are not facts.