Chris Judd

This article is about the Australian rules footballer. For the husband of Jennifer Lopez from 2001-2002, see Cris Judd.

Chris Judd
Personal information
Full name	Christopher Dylan Judd
Nickname(s)	Juddy, The Messiah
Original team(s)	Caulfield Grammar/Sandringham Dragons
Draft	3rd overall, 2001 West Coast
Height	189 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	85 kg (187 lb)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Carlton
Number	5
Playing career
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
	West Coast
	Carlton
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Chris Judd (born 8 September 1983) is a professional Australian rules footballer for the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). A tall midfielder at 189 cm and 85 kg, Judd is an AFL Premiership captain, Brownlow Medallist, Leigh Matthews Trophy winner, and Norm Smith Medallist. He has also been awarded four All-Australian jumpers (including one as captain in 2008), four Club Champion Awards, three Ross Glendinning Medals. He has captained the West Coast Eagles and is the current captain of the Carlton Football Club.

West Coast Eagles

2002

Concerns surrounding Judd's injury prone shoulders clouded his draft prospects, which had already been reconstructed twice as a junior. Despite this, Judd was selected by West Coast with the third pick in the 2001 AFL National Draft. High expectations surrounded Judd prior to his first season, and he was awarded the number three guernsey at West Coast, worn previously by former club premiership hero Chris Mainwaring. He responded with a four-goal haul in what would be his lone appearance in the WAFL for East Perth, and prompted the Eagles to debut him in the senior side the following week. In his first game for the Eagles, Judd notched up 19 disposals and kicked a goal in a very promising debut. For this season Judd averaged 15 disposals per game and kicked 21 goals from his 22 appearances. He finished off a great first year, finishing third in West Coast's club champion award and gaining selection to play for Australia against Ireland in the two-match International Rules series played in Dublin.

2003

In his second season, Judd continued to improve. Alternating between the midfield and forward line, Judd often proved damaging in either position. In the Eagles' round 12 clash against Brisbane, Judd registered five goals. Three weeks later against Carlton he gathered 33 disposals and kicked a further three goals. Judd finished the seasons with 29 goals, averaged 18 disposals per game and was runner up in the club best and fairest. Prior to the commencement of the 2004 season, at just 20 years of age, Judd was appointed as one of the Eagles' four vice-captains in 2004.

2004

2004 was Judd's breakthrough season. He became renowned for his ability to win contested possession as proficiently as any one in the league, and his lower body strength made him very difficult to tackle. Combined with captain Ben Cousins, Daniel Kerr and ruckman Dean Cox, Judd formed part of would become one of the most damaging mid-fields in AFL history. Judd averaged 22 disposals and kicked 24 goals for the season and, was named to his first All Australian Team as a wingman, and won the Eagles' Club Champion award for the first time. Judd made history as West Coast's first Brownlow medallist, polling 30 votes to defeat Mark Ricciuto of Adelaide for the award.

2005

Judd again dominated along with his star studded West Coast midfield during the 2005 season. He once again averaged 22 disposals and was runner-up to Cousins as Club Champion. Along the way Judd also managed to kick the Goal of the Year. The Eagles made it to the 2005 AFL Grand Final where they were defeated by Sydney by four points. Judd was awarded the Norm Smith Medal as the best player afield on Grand Final day for his 29 disposals.

2006

On 1 March 2006, Judd was named captain of the club, succeeding Ben Cousins, who resigned the position after being charged with failing to stop for a police breath test. Judd responded with his very best season to date, winning his second club best and fairest award, his second All-Australian selection and the Leigh Matthews Trophy as the AFL's Most Valuable Player. By now he was widely regarded as the best midfielder in the competition, and arguably the best player at any position. He averaged 26 disposals, kicked 29 goals and continued to win contested possessions like few players in history. He captained the Eagles to a thrilling one-point victory over Sydney in the 2006 AFL Grand Final, winning his first AFL Premiership medallion. Judd was also unlucky to win the 2006 norm smith medal with Andrew Embley taking the honors in the clubs grand final win

2007

After a stellar 2006, Judd appeared to have improved again during the early stages of the 2007 AFL season. After 8 rounds Judd was averaging 29 disposals, had kicked 10 goals and had been close to best on ground in each of the Eagles first eight games. At seasons end it was revealed that he had polled Brownlow votes in each his first eight games. As the year progressed however, Judd's chronic groin injury sidelined him for several weeks. When he returned to the game, his performance was restricted, and he was forced to play off the bench and in the forward line often. He was also rested for several games in anticipation of playing in the finals series. Judd's future at West Coast was the subject of much speculation after his declaration that he would not enter into contract discussions with the club until the completion of the season.

Switching Clubs

On 16 September 2007, two days after West Coast's semi-final elimination by Collingwood, it was announced that Judd would be requesting a trade to his native state of Victoria, despite earlier hinting that he would stay in Perth during an interview with Shane Crawford. He notified West Coast coach John Worsfold and CEO Trevor Nisbett of his intentions earlier that day. As arguably the most talented player in the competition, his departure created much attention and speculation among the Melbourne-based clubs, the media and the football community.

In the weeks following the announcement of his departure, Chris Judd met with four sides: Essendon, Melbourne, Collingwood and Carlton.. Judd's management informed Melbourne that Judd was surprised with their presentation, but felt that their Junction Oval training facilities were "an issue".

On 2 October 2007 Judd announced that his preferred club was Carlton. Carlton was initially favoured as the club most likely to secure the services of Judd, because they held two early draft picks which could be used in negotiations with West Coast. On 11 October 2007 Judd was officially traded to Carlton along with a third round selection in the 2007 AFL Draft (#46 overall) for Carlton's first and second round selections (#3 and #20) and Josh Kennedy. Judd was subsequently given the #5 guernsey vacated by the trade of Kennedy.

Carlton

2008

After much deliberation over the off-season, Judd was awarded the captaincy of the club entering into his first season with the Blues. His first game in navy blue was a Friday afternoon practice match on 7 March 2008 against the Western Bulldogs at MC Labour Park, with his presence attracting 12,000 fans; Judd scored a goal and had 20 touches.

Judd began playing with Carlton from the first round. Initially below full fitness due to a groin surgery, his ground time was limited, but in Round 3 he had 32 disposals and kicked 2 goals. His return match against West Coast at Subiaco Oval in Round 7 was widely anticipated in the media, and Carlton won by 37 points. He was selected in the Victorian team the following week for the Hall of Fame Tribute Match. Judd played 21 of the 22 home-and-away games through the season, finished 5th in the Leigh Matthews Trophy, and won the John Nicholls Medal for the best and fairest of the Carlton Football Club. Through the course of the year, Judd gradually regained the explosive speed he is renowned for and played a more inside role than in previous seasons, recording the most contested possessions in the AFL.

He capped off his season when he was named All-Australian captain and ruck rover – his third All-Australian selection, and first as captain.

2009

Judd had another stellar season with Carlton. He is the most prolific tackler for Carlton and is in the top 10 in the AFL for tackles. He is in the top 15 with disposals in the league and is number one in the AFL for inside 50's despite heavy tagging from the opposition. He is also number one in the AFL for clearances and second for goal assists. He came under scrutiny, and was ultimately suspended for three matches, for making unnecessary contact to the face of Brisbane's Michael Rischitelli in the elimination final.

He was named as a midfielder in the 2009 All-Australian team making it his fourth nomination and was appointed vice captain. Judd polled 22 votes in the Brownlow Medal to finish second behind winner Gary Ablett Jnr. He won his second consecutive John Nicholls Medal as the club’s best and fairest. He received 558 votes to win by a margin of 107; he became the first player in the medal's history to poll the maximum 50 votes (ten out of ten from each of the five judges) in Carlton's Round 8 victory over Collingwood.

Injuries and Surgery

Judd has battled with injuries for his whole career, which often results in him undergoing surgery. Known surgery undertaken by Judd so far to help mend injuries has been for his wrist, shoulders and groin. His shoulders are often a talking point amongst footy commentators which were reconstructed before he was drafted and both were taped in his early years, which was quite unusual for a young draftee. Gradually it appeared as though Judd's shoulders were standing up to AFL football and his shoulders were no longer taped for the 2005 season. In 2006 Judd suffered his first injury re-occurrence in a match against the kangaroos as Brady Rawlings partially dislocated his left shoulder whilst tagging him. The same shoulder suffered further dislocation in the 2006 Grand Final win over Sydney. In the 2006 off season Judd had more surgery on his left shoulder, although he did not undergo a second reconstruction. At the beginning of 2008 Judd only had tape on his left shoulder which now remains taped for matches since his second surgery, however as the season progressed his right shoulder is now also taped and iced after games, suggesting further injury to this already reconstructed shoulder.

In the 2007 off season Judd underwent groin surgery for what was widely reported as osteitis pubis, he missed almost the entire Carlton pre-season recovering. Despite the lack of pre-season he performed admirably as he captained Carlton in 2008, missing only one game with a concussion. He managed to inspire those around him with memorable performances, notably against Port Adelaide. In Round 12 2009 against St. Kilda Chris Judd broke his nose in a head clash with teammate Mark Austin but still managed to play out the game with blood running down his throat.

Honours

• Team
  • AFL Premiership with West Coast: 2006 (Captain)
  • AFL McClelland Trophy With West Coast: 2006 (Captain)

• Individual
  • Brownlow Medal: 2004
  • Leigh Matthews Trophy: 2006
  • All-Australian: 2004, 2006, 2008 (Captain), 2009 (Vice-Captain)
  • Norm Smith Medal: 2005
  • Victorian Team representative honours in AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match: 2008
  • International Rules Series representative honours: 2002
  • AFLPA Best First Year Player Award: 2002

• Carlton
  • John Nicholls Medal: 2008, 2009
  • Captain of Carlton: 2008-present

• West Coast
  • West Coast Club Champion Award: 2004, 2006
  • Ross Glendinning Medal: 2005 (twice), 2006
  • Captain of West Coast Eagles: 2006–2007

• Other achievements
  • AFL Goal of the Year: 2005
  • The Age Player of the Year: 2009

Media Appearances

Towards the end of 2003, Judd began writing a column on the West Coast Eagles official website called "Juddy's Jibe". Some of his opinions presented in these columns prompted extensive media commentary, such as his view that footballers should not be role models. Throughout the 2006 season, the column was also published in Melbourne newspaper The Age, where Judd spoke about issues such as global warming, terrorism, superficiality in the mass media, world peace and James Surowiecki's book The Wisdom of Crowds.

In 2009, he featured in the official advertisement for the AFL, receiving a mark from Aaron Davey on a Basketball court and then sprinting in front of a stampede of horses on a horse racing track before handballing to Adam Goodes.

He has appeared on Before the Game on Channel 10, One Week at a Time on One HD and on many other AFL shows.

Personal life

Judd attended Caulfield Grammar School, and attained an ENTER score of 96.20 on his Victorian Certificate of Education. He is currently studying for a Master of Business Administration degree, and has previously completed university courses in Media Studies and Corporate Governance. Concerned about the environment, Judd used to drive a Toyota Prius hybrid car and switched to "green power" at his former Perth house. He is also a registered organ donor. He is currently an environmental ambassador for Visy and drives the Hyundai i30

Judd is engaged to speech pathologist and model Rebecca Twigley. On the night of Judd's Brownlow win she wore a revealing red dress which caused national comment.

External links

• Chris Judd's profile on the official website of the Carlton Football Club
• Chris Judd's playing statistics from AFL Tables
• Chris Judd Dominates Against The Bulldogs - Round 17, 2008
• Judd Watch from Canberra Carlton Blues
• Chris Judd's profile in The Blueseum

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Ben Cousins	Captain of West Coast Eagles 2006-2007	Succeeded by Darren Glass
Preceded by Lance Whitnall	Captain of Carlton 2008-	Succeeded by Incumbent
Awards
Preceded by Daniel Kerr	AFLPA Best First Year Player Award 2002	Succeeded by Daniel Wells
Preceded by Adam Goodes Mark Ricciuto Nathan Buckley	Brownlow Medal 2004	Succeeded by Ben Cousins
Preceded by Ben Cousins	West Coast Eagles Best and Fairest Winner 2004	Succeeded by Ben Cousins
Preceded by Byron Pickett	Norm Smith Medal 2005	Succeeded by Andrew Embley
Preceded by Daniel Wells	AFL Goal of the Year 2005	Succeeded by Eddie Betts
Preceded by Ben Cousins	Leigh Matthews Trophy 2006	Succeeded by Gary Ablett, Jr.
Preceded by Ben Cousins	West Coast Eagles Best and Fairest Winner 2006	Succeeded by Darren Glass
Preceded by Andrew McLeod	Captain of All-Australian team 2008	Succeeded by Nick Riewoldt
Preceded by Andrew Carrazzo	Carlton Football Club Best and Fairest 2008	Succeeded by Incumbent