Anyone buying the hype on Chris Judd? Will be 31 all of next year so the wrong side of 30, but his first full preseason in quite some time. Plenty to like about his history when priced at just over 90 coming into this year and has the right bye as well. Age the only real reason to think about not picking him over Griffen or Swallow? Could easily outscore both if he is truly fit and firing.
Year Games Average
2005 21 114.5
2006 19 131.8
2007 18 106.4
2008 21 110.0
2009 22 111.0
2010 19 118.5
2011 22 115.5
2012 17 104.4
2013 18 99.1
2014 12 90.6
Few important parts from a recent article;
Judd: “And then in January I had the Achilles op, so I thought ‘well that’s about it’, and then (in Round 5) I did the hammy.”
A fortnight ago, deep into preseason No.14, the blistering midfielder was voted by his peers as the club’s ‘trainer of the week’, with a bright orange hat to wear in reward.
As one Carlton assistant coach remarked last week on their Mt Buller camp, “I reckon ‘Juddy’ has got his bounce back”.
Judd agrees.
“I do feel like I’m moving a little bit quicker than I have in a couple of years,” he said
It has perhaps flown under the radar how much the Achilles trouble has weighed on Judd, physically and mentally, through 2012 — 2014.
When Malthouse first arrived at Visy Park two years ago, Judd says he was “worn-out with footy”.
The flame that helped make the five-time best and fairest one of the AFL’s most exhilarating players was almost extinguished.
But, as he enters 2015 fully-fit, the spark and the speed, are back.
“A week after the season (finished) I was back running again,” he said.
“Usually, I’m really sore for another month or so.
“So, not only had I avoided any more operations, but I was feeling really fresh.”
If you take out the round 5 score of 6 when he did his hammy then his average jumps to 98.3. Not too shabby, but is it unrealistic to think he could go 105 - 115?