As Cazzesman shared with us yesterday, Judd has only had one session with the young players and already they are smiling. I can't wait to see what influence Judd will have on the field. I already feel dirty watching Judd's efforts on youtube because he is in that West Coast jumper.

Good to hear a young player speak his own mind on the Pagan issue as well.

Good to hear a young player speak his own mind on the Pagan issue as well.

Whilst it's a nice little article, the guard of honor thing made me cringe.

I would take that with a pinch of salt. I think all it shows is that he has more class and takes the party line re the Pagan issue.

Camporeale et al have been a little selfish and self-righteous. Kouta has a right to say it; he can say what he wants- but for those extracts to be leaked to the media first is poor form.

The worst thing is probably ex-Carlton players sticking the boot in as well. It should have been Kouta and that's it and not in the Hun either.

His captain (Ben Cousins) was one of the hardest trainers that has ever played the game.

It's a good article, but it gives me the feeling the players may be hoping Judd picks up the slack in the midfield. Yes, they are in awe of him. Who wouldn't be? But it's just that 'we're going to be alright now that Judd is here' mentality that I hope doesn't creep in.

Whilst Judd is more than a welcome addition to the team, I hope the players really knuckle down and play as a team and look to further develop there ownselves regardless of how many possessions or dominating or less dominating Judd is on the day.

Time will tell. Bring on the 2008 season.

I'm pessimistic about this (actually I'm just pessimistic full stop). I worry that this Judd worship that's going on (amongst the players) is unhealthy. I could be wrong. I hope it is inspiring. I hope it ISN'T "he'll make everything right". I hope it raises the bar. I hope they remember how poor they themselves have been. I hope Jordan remembers how poor he has been. He references how Judd towelled him up. He should remember plenty of people did that to him. I want them all focused on how THEY can improve. On what THEY need to do. A bit of excitement is good, and I'm sure I will stand corrected, but I want to see these young kids get on with it. I want to see Jordan get a flower kick. I don't want to hear how excited any of them are. I want to SEE results. I want to read PBs on the track. PBs in the gym. I want to hear more stories like "Hampson getting a personal trainer and working through the break". I want to read that Jordan Russell can now take a half volley without fumbling, that Andrew Walker can now hit a target, that Paul Bower can outbody Fev in a one on one, that Fev is back off the piss.

I don't give a shit how excited they are. SHOW ME THE MONEY.

After six years of finishing at the wrong end of the ladder, countless articles and news reports of how pathetic you are, flogging after flogging, poor leadership, and plenty of other reminders that you're not up to it... I'd expect that a little optimism from our players can only be a good thing.

Pretty sure no-one on the list is silly enough to expect one player to carry them up the ladder. But a more positive outlook will do wonders, IMO for ther development of our players individually, and as a team.

And jesus - of course the guard of honour thing was a joke.

The most important thing here for these young kids is that the best player in Australia chose them, their team and their club. After being told for years how shit you are, how do you think that will make them feel? Do you think a guy like JR will perform better now, or worse? The answer, I would've thought, is obvious.