Its been a long while posting for me. but couldn't help sharing a wonderful night i had sitting next to the great Mr Judd during a recent sportsman night.
The great Mr Judd being Andrew - Christopher's father - a very nice man.
We spoke for a couple of hours and i must say i only got a couple of questions in, because he is a very passionate Carlton man.
One of my two questions - "how hard a decision was it for Chris to choose a club"?. A: it was easy, there was only one choice ie the Blues. Greg Swann is the most impressive administrator he has met. What he says is delivered - straight to the point and no BS.
(ill leave my last question to the end)
But first some highlights:
1. Chris is the fittest he has ever been leading into this season.
2. Chris is the most determined person he has ever met. Since the age of 7 he has known what he wants and always gets there through hard work and dedication. Referred to him training xmas day each year for a couple of hours. Referred to his more capable and athletically gifted sister - yet Chris puts in the hours.
3. Was very very excited about the Blues prospects on a number of fronts - football support staff is outstanding. When they first checked the Blues out it was clear the place was in ruin. Wasn't overly complimentary of previous football incumbents ie D Pagan et al. However, the investment and leadership shown by G Swann has been amazing - believes that the support Chris gets today from support staff is way ahead of the WCE. When Chris had his severe OP problems in WA, he somewhat left to his own devices to find a solution. Not at the Blues.
4. Thought Ratts was on the money and new how to communicate with the playing group. The group is brimming with enthusiasm, love being together and are definitely on the verge of something special. Wonderful energy at the club.
5. Players? In 2 years, noone will be talking C Judd (phew), cos the word will be Gibbs! Superstar material. Kruezer - play him in the forward line. Faster, taller and more agile than N Riewoldt at the same age. Jamo and Bower could be anything. Bower somewhat of a freak. Waite, great footballer. Cloke knows how to take a big mark, just needs to take 5 a game rather than 1. Hammer, will be more than worth the effort. Warnock is a fantastic pick up and exactly what we need "boy we're building a tall athletic team"! Walks - the wild card. Could be anything and is very exciting. These were the player highlights - a couple of observation on others for another lifetime
.6. Shared one of his best football experiences - last years come back win against the Lions. Spent the game with the Krueze family and they had a great night (said most of the families have a great time together) - post game they crossed the ground after quite a few sherbets and went into the rooms. Never been into a football changeroom and experienced such an excited, pumped up group. (they says something, given his experiences with the WCE).
7. Only downer was some of his experiences with Carlton members. He chose to sit with the main members in the first year at Carlton, rather than with the families and friends etc. He wont do it in 2009. Says a number of times blues fans can be very disappointing in the way they bag the players - gets pretty ugly! (fair comment from him ). Referred to third round when Chris did a shoulder (in fact played with the injury all year) - when a couple of crazed fans got very ugly made unfair suggestions about CJ's effort etc.
A wonderful 2 hours with a wonderful man ie Mr Andrew Judd. Now to my second question " what is your proudest football moment re Chris 1) his first game of AFL 2) brownlow or 3) captain receiving the premiership cup"? His answer was simple - his first game, and you should have seen his eyes light up when he was describing it to me. A great man, great character - says alot about the family and the support structure behind Chris.
go Blues! go Juddy!
