The case for Judd’s re-signing being a positive starts with his form. Since returning from injury this has been top-notch. He doesn’t have the pace of yesteryear but his class has shone through time and again. Even against a genuine challenger like Fremantle a few weeks back, Judd’s cleanness right across the ground appeared light years better than many of the much younger Dockers.
The former skipper’s impressive displays may have even surprised himself, seeing as Judd admitted to having a change of heart about pulling the pin on his career.
“Four or five months ago, I made the decision to retire, and I was really definitive on it and clear,” he told Fox Footy.
“For a number of reasons, I thought it was the right decision.
“I had spoken to some people at Carlton and I had told all my family and friends that I was done.
“And then to be honest, I didn’t really think about it until four weeks ago. I was planning what I was going to do next year and then, I guess, circumstances just changed and I thought there’s no use being stubborn about it."
Judd is a leader at a club that desperately needs people to stand up alongside skipper Marc Murphy, who is certainly growing into the role.
And, having a player as good as Judd in the side should be a boost for the Blues, especially as there should be less distractions in 2015, with Bryce Gibbs having signed a new contract, Matthew Kreuzer returning from injury and presumably no Jarrad Waite, Mitch Robinson and Jeff Garlett in the side.
But that’s where things become problematic as well for Carlton should probably be in rebuild mode next year after a disappointing 2014.
The three players mentioned above, Waite, Robinson and Garlett, will possibly leave for other clubs as theyve been distractions this season, but this raises the question of what Carlton will look for in exchange for them.
If the Blues go for some quality established players, then the fact Judd will still command a hefty salary may limit who the Blues go for.
But if Carlton go the full rebuild and opt for a stack of draft choices in exchange for that trio, then having Judd in the side will definitely be a bonus. A player of his pedigree and work ethic will be a fine example for any new recruits.
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Judd’s salary is certainly not what it was. For 2014 his pay was reportedly 50 percent of what it was under the terms of the six-year deal that brought him over from West Coast. And with the veteran’s allowance unlikely to be completely phased out by next season that still gives Carlton some wriggle room.
“My objective is to not squeeze every dollar out of the footy club, it’s to try and contribute and try to enjoy another year,’’ he said.
But with Judd having a change of heart, does it alter the plans coach Malthouse and his match committee would have already made? They would already have been thinking about changes to the squad long before Monday night and much of that planning would have been done on the assumption Judd would not be in the side.
Does that mean Judd’s about face is a good or bad thing in terms of that long-term planning? Does it financially hamstring them in other ways?
We assume Carlton wouldn’t have agreed to the new contract if it hit them too badly on this front, but we’ve seen the Blues top up time after time and take temporary measures over the last few years rather than going the long-term route and accepting a rebuild is necessary.
So the jury may still be out until 2015 on whether this is a good move for the Blues or not.