Judd Decision Throws Draft into Chaos

Former Brownlow and Norm Smith Medallist Chris Judd has decided to leave West Coast and head home to Victoria. The announcement has devastated an entire state (at least the West Coast supporting half) and left the club which he has captained to a Premiership in shock.

A relatively settled National Draft has suddenly been spun on its head as operation “Bring Chris Home” is likely to involve several high draft picks and throws the pundits predictions into disarray.

And of course when you are talking 2007 draft picks and Victorian clubs there is no bigger player than Carlton. The Blues holding pick 1 and 3 are seen as by far the most likely contender to land the former Caulfield Grammar and Sandringham Dragons superstar.

Carlton’s billionaire President Richard Pratt has already tabled his intentions to make immediate improvements to the Bluebaggers’ playing list in his first off-season in charge and there would be no bigger or more immediate improvement possible than bringing Judd to Royal Parade.

The Blues, having punched well below their weight in the final half of the 2007 season, scored a prized priority draft pick amid much talk of tanking and would seem almost unbackable favourites to land the player who many rate as the best in the land.

Carlton would be expected to give up pick number one and possibly one of their remaining picks in 3, 20 and 36. However, they do come from a position of strength, with possession of the number 2 selection in the Pre-season Draft and are believed to have more room in their salary cap than Richmond who hold the first selection meaning if push came to shove they could secure Judd with no compensation. However, this remains an unlikely option.

Richmond, Collingwood, Essendon and pretty much every other club in the state of Victoria will be breaking the bank and the salary cap to secure Judd’s services whose announcement seems set to unleash the most ferocious bidding war in AFL history.

Draft day implications are profound with the Eagles thought to prefer highly rated West Australian duo Cale Morton and Rhys Palmer. And considering West Coast are currently losing their best player to home sickness would be extremely unlikely to opt for current cast iron guaranteed number one selection Victorian Matthew Kreuzer.