Have Port Adelaide youngster Chad Wingard’s first 50 AFL games been as good as competition legend Chris Judd’s? Statistically, yes.
The Port Adelaide dynamo dissected Fremantle in his 50th match last week, producing one of the grandest displays of his infantile career as he slotted five goals to be best afield.
Wingard’s performance was as fine as you would see from a 20-year-old footballer, particularly considering the quality of opposition he faced in last year’s grand finalists.
When Fremantle were surging he kept Port in touch with his knack for finding space and clinical execution around goals. Then, when the momentum shifted, he was on hand to help finish off the flagging Dockers.
Analysing Wingard’s career purely on numbers it compares favourably with Judd’s after 50 games:
Wingard – 70 goals, 17 disposals per game, 3.24 inside 50s per game, 2.28 tackles and 1.86 clearances.
Judd – 58 goals, 17 disposals per game, 3.82 inside 50s per game, 3.16 tackles and 4.2 clearances.
The Port Adelaide dynamo is already ahead of Judd by one measure, having won his first All-Australian berth last year, in just his second AFL season. Judd’s breakout year was his third in the competition in 2004 when, as a 21-year-old, he snared the first of his two Brownlow Medals and earned his debut All-Australian guernsey.
With 18 goals from seven games this season, Wingard looks on track to match the latter of Judd’s feats. But it would be a monumental achievement for him to buck recent history by winning this year’s Brownlow while operating mainly as a forward.
The game’s most prestigious medal has become exclusively one for midfielders. Not since Gavin Wanganeen in 1993 has it been claimed by a player who did not spend a large amount of their game time as an on-baller.
You have to go back even further to find the last forward to take home ‘Charlie’ – then St Kilda spearhead Tony Lockett in 1987. Even then, Lockett had to share the award with Hawthorn rover John Platten.
Wingard does, however, seem likely to spend more time through the middle of the ground as he matures. He is too swift and skilful not to be utilised as an on-baller in the future.
Who knows what sort of damage he could do with 25-30 touches a game rather than 15-20?
One striking similarity between Wingard and the young Judd is their ability to wield enormous influence on games without racking up a huge possession count. In Judd’s Brownlow Medal year in 2004 he averaged just 22 disposals a match, despite largely playing as an on-baller.
He maimed opposition sides with his dynamism – bursting through and then away from packs, bouncing the ball before delivering it to teammates with startling precision.
Wingard showed once again last weekend that he, too, can skewer opponents with less than 20 touches. He needed only 17 to take apart Fremantle. In doing so he also highlighted another admirable similarity with Judd – both are big-game performers.
In his early years, Judd frequently saved his most devastating efforts for encounters with heavyweight adversaries. He famously ran rampant against the best side I have ever seen, the Michael Voss-led Brisbane Lions, in just his second season. Judd booted five goals in the first half as the Eagles upset the reigning premiers at the Gabba.
Wingard’s masterclass against Fremantle continued a trend of shining on the big occasions. His next-best displays this season have been in the showdown and the blockbuster against premiership fancies Geelong.
In last year’s elimination final against Collingwood, Wingard was a major reason Port triumphed, booting three goals from 19 touches. He also notched eight goals and 49 disposals across the two derbies against Adelaide last season. Like Judd, the kid loves to turn it in on when it counts.
Can he be as good as the former West Coast and now Carlton champion? Probably not. But right now he is the best 20-year-old player in the competition and one of the most influential footballers in the country.
Rossi
Guest
What word would you have used Hemingway?
Dalgety Carrington
Guest
I myself look forward to seeing years of Wingard, Dangerfield and Fyfe. I like the idea eras being self-contained, so Judd vs Hodge vs Ball is a much more meaty battle for me. Comparing Wingard to Judd is not all that useful so early into Chad's career. Judd, over time, tarnished his reputation with chicken wings, gouging and elbows to the face, plus going for the money after staying too long (and captaining) in a team with a lot of unsavoury practices (very different from his golden boy image early on in his career) so we'll see how Chad's character goes. Above all Wingard has proved so far to being a very different player from Judd. So the comparison either needs to be later, or on team success if you really, really, want to compare them.
Daws
Guest
And I think thats where the comparison will end. Ablett is in a league of his own.
Radelaide
Guest
Atm I would have to agree but Polec (and Gray) also has that special gift of being able to read the play and execute ahead of everyone else.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Polec is having a terrific season Nudge but if I could pick one or the other I'd go for Wingard.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Hes bloody good regardless. Can he be better? I think it is a strong possibility. He and O' Meara to battle it out for best player in years to come. Also hoping Luke Parker for Swans...
Radelaide
Guest
Certainly they have different games where Judd was see ball, get ball and deliver on a platter and Wingard is just freaky at different things (kicking, handballing, marking and reading of the play) with an uncanny goal sense but as you said they are both similar in the fact they both perform in the big games, but Wingard comes into the game less reliant on running ability so therefore could have a longer career and also more successful due to not leaving a strong club to go to a weak one halfway through his peak, I mean look how many premierships Gazza jr could have now and in the future if he stayed at the Cats (I say up to 6)
Ryan
Guest
Because they are sitting top..... in round 9.
Nudge
Guest
Why there sitting top, smashed the cats, likewise to the dockers and crows. All this with the 3rd youngest list in the AFL. And how many potential superstars under the age of 25. Boak, Hartlett, Wines, Gray, Wingard, Polec, and Lobbe is the best young ruck in the comp. And I'm far from a Power supporter
Ryan
Guest
Judd becoming underrated? Forget the numbers, Judd was an absolute dominating beast at his peak. A dual brownlow medalist who could break the lines like few others and was just lethal with the ball. Wingard would have to develop amazingly well to be comparable in style and performance to Judd. Kid can play, but geez lets all take a big deep breath about Port Adelaide.
Barneythecrab
Guest
Really good player but doesn't get the hard balls like Judd did. Awesome in front of goal and would love a player like that in the crows with such amazing outside run and instinct.
Gecko
Guest
Let's not just aim to be as good as Judd. On his first 50 games, Wingard is probably ahead of G.Ablett Jnr, who also started his career up forward.
Adrian
Guest
"Infantile career"? I do not think that word means what you think it means.
Nudge
Guest
I agree with that Bayman and yeah he's going to be a superstar. Polec is going to be just as good as well. So many blokes the opposition have to worry about when they play the power that someone like Wines who's a gun himself could play the next 5 years without being tagged. You can't tag em all. Wingard, polec, Ebert, Gray, Boak, Hartlett nearly all at least have to have a run with player before Wines. That's scary
Olivia
Guest
I think this is comparing apples and artichokes. The two have similar numbers but very different styles. Judd has been a champion. Wingard will be a champion and, to paraphrase Sinatra, they did it Their Way and always will. Wingard has the ability to change the outcome of a game and so did Judd. I think that is where the comparisons end. As for who is/was the better player, ask me when Wingard hangs up his boots. Right now, peak for peak, its Judd by a street. For the sake of all football fans I hope Wingard's career develops to where, at the end, its a far more difficult decision.
Nudge
Guest
Yeah, and I reckon comparing Judd and Dangerfield as they are identical type players
Bayman
Guest
Nudge, Wingard also seems to be a bit more likely to take a mark than Judd. For his age (then), Judd was one of the best I've seen getting through traffic unscathed and untouched. He was uncanny. Wingard also has some of that innate ability to find his way in traffic. Wingard is a gun and he's only going to get better. Being a leftie probably helps him, too.
Brendon the 1st
Guest
His hand to foot speed and goal sense are amazing, so yeah I think he could be as good as Judd. A more accurate comparison though would be with Gavin Wanganeen, they both seem to made of rubber.
Gyfox
Guest
YES!
Nudge
Guest
Can certainly play the lad, and I reckon one day he could well be as good as Judd. Different type of players though. Judd is a real contested ball winner who does his best work inside but when in space is lethal. Wingard is silky smooth, breathtaking when given room, but is not so much an inside player as yet like Judd