Is Judd a great leader now?

[Marc Shmurf 3]

When he came over from West Coast and even still through the start of last year, people were suggesting that he wasn't a great leader and he was always in the shadows of Cousins as Cousins was deemed the real leader of that West Coast group. Some would say that that was the case and that Judd was just simply filling the media void, but left the game day roll to Cousins. I have heard that he found it uncomfortable being the leader of West Coast, because he knew of the tremendous respect that the West Coast players had had for Cousins, and that he didn’t really know how to express or show his true leadership qualities.

Now 2 years on, with 2 seasons at the Blues behind him, I think that Judd is really showing his true leadership qualities. Last year he looked as though he was still finding his feet around a new club, with new players and a new environment, whilst getting over the dreaded OP that made him close to being an average player in the latter part of 2007. This year he is really showing what a true leader is and how he IS a true leader. Im not talking about just his playing performances because they speak for themselves, but by his directional talk on the field, his sticking up for his team mates when they are under fire by the opposition, and his love for the club. For mine Juddy is a true leader, and a great leader of men. He is only going to get better as the years go on.

What are your thoughts? Has your perception changed since last year? I know it’s difficult to tell because some of you haven’t watched all of the Carlton games, and that we are not in the inner sanctum, but from an outsider point of view, do you think he has grown into being one of the best Captains in the competition?

Cheers

 

[Neville Bartos]

He's a good leader, but how can you say that he is 'great'? Carlton were always going to improve last year with their young list and guys like Stevens coming back from injury. Judd being awarded All-Australian captaincy was probably the biggest travesty of 2008, as Robert Walls stuck his filthy little nose in too deep when Tom Harley, Jonathan Brown, Nick Riewoldt and Brett Kirk all showed that they were VASTLY superior captains to Judd in the way they lead their team on and off the field. Not to mention they actually had to earn their captaincy unlike Judd who had it handed to him on a silver platter.

I haven't seen Judd vocally firing up his troops or putting his body on the line for his teammates like some of those other captains are known to do, so I still wouldn't classify him as in that top bracket yet. Don't be surprised if Walls gets his way again in 2009 and Judd captains the All-Australian team again without having really earned it.

 

[JeffDunne]

It's easy to look like a giant around short people.

 

[Marc Shmurf 3]

He's a good leader, but how can you say that he is 'great'? Carlton were always going to improve last year with their young list and guys like Stevens coming back from injury. Judd being awarded All-Australian captaincy was probably the biggest travesty of 2008, as Robert Walls stuck his filthy little nose in too deep when Tom Harley, Jonathan Brown, Nick Riewoldt and Brett Kirk all showed that they were VASTLY superior captains to Judd in the way they lead their team on and off the field. Not to mention they actually had to earn their captaincy unlike Judd who had it handed to him on a silver platter.

I haven't seen Judd vocally firing up his troops or putting his body on the line for his teammates like some of those other captains are known to do, so I still wouldn't classify him as in that top bracket yet. Don't be surprised if Walls gets his way again in 2009 and Judd captains the All-Australian team again without having really earned it.

Its funny you should say that when he usually has 3 blokes hanging off his back when ever he gets near a ball up situation.

And what is your definition as to putting your body on the line, is it throwing your body through a contest, running back in a pack for a mark? running your absolute gut out during a game to almost exhustion? What is putting your body on the line?

The only Captain that i know who is prone to putting his body on the line is Kirk... So does that make Kirk the only true great Captain?

 

[jonoman89]

It's easy to look like a giant around short people.

Unfortunately true. We had no one else to be a good captain for us when Judd came over. Many (including me) wanted Stevens as captain. That would have been a very bad choice.

Judd is the best we have. And he does pretty well.

I'd like to see him fire up a bit more though, but that isn't his style. He leads by example and sets a precedent for the team. It works.

 

[crownie]

It's easy to look like a giant around short people.

carrying them every week isn't.

 

[Marc Shmurf 3]

It's easy to look like a giant around short people.

Come on Jeff, Murphy has held his own this year, heck before last week, i wouldn't be surprised if he was leading our B & F, and Gibbs is only 20 still... What more do you want?

 

[JeffDunne]

The only Captain that i know who is prone to putting his body on the line is Kirk...

WTF??

 

[JeffDunne]

Come on Jeff, Murphy has held his own this year, heck before last week, i wouldn't be surprised if he was leading our B & F, and Gibbs is only 20 still... What more do you want?

They are good players.

That's it.

They probably will be good leaders but they are kids now.

 

[Marc Shmurf 3]

WTF??

in terms of continually being on the bottom of packs...

 

[The_Eagles]

Judd's been a captain for 4 seasons. He probably knows what he's doing. Cousins was captain for 5 seasons

 

[mediumsizered]

He's a good leader, but how can you say that he is 'great'? Carlton were always going to improve last year with their young list and guys like Stevens coming back from injury. Judd being awarded All-Australian captaincy was probably the biggest travesty of 2008, as Robert Walls stuck his filthy little nose in too deep when Tom Harley, Jonathan Brown, Nick Riewoldt and Brett Kirk all showed that they were VASTLY superior captains to Judd in the way they lead their team on and off the field. Not to mention they actually had to earn their captaincy unlike Judd who had it handed to him on a silver platter.

I haven't seen Judd vocally firing up his troops or putting his body on the line for his teammates like some of those other captains are known to do, so I still wouldn't classify him as in that top bracket yet. Don't be surprised if Walls gets his way again in 2009 and Judd captains the All-Australian team again without having really earned it.

Do you seriously believe Walls has that much power that he can force a whole selection committee to fall into line with what he wants? Surely you must be extracting the urine.

 

[Lemieux8]

Gibbs is the true leader at Carlton.

 

[Neville Bartos]

Do you seriously believe Walls has that much power that he can force a whole selection committee to fall into line with what he wants? Surely you must be extracting the urine.

Ummm yeah

http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=77855 -> He's on the committee

He was talking about it on the couch, how he'd pushed hard for the particular captain and not everyone had initially agreed on it.

 

[JeffDunne]

in terms of continually being on the bottom of packs...

That makes more sense. Not sure I agree but it makes more sense.

Can I ask though, why on earth would you want Judd on the bottom of packs?

Don't confuse not being face down in the dirt with not getting the hard ball. Judd's ability to pick up the ball and not go to ground is quite remarkable. Given the rules in 2009 it's not only smart but it's probably his most important skill.

Every on-baller at Carlton is better because of Judd. It's not just the attention he draws but when he's in a contested situation his team mates automatically run to a position to receive knowing more often than not he'll either win the contest or force another stoppage.

That's leadership. I wouldn't care if he didn't utter a word on the field I'd say the same.

Oh, and to answer Zeke's question . . . that's what makes him elite.

 

[Monkey King]

Do you seriously believe Walls has that much power that he can force a whole selection committee to fall into line with what he wants? Surely you must be extracting the urine.

Let's call it wringing the guernsey.

 

[Marc Shmurf 3]

That makes more sense. Not sure I agree but it makes more sense.

Can I ask though, why on earth would you want Judd on the bottom of packs?

Don't confuse not being face down in the dirt with not getting the hard ball. Judd's ability to pick up the ball and not go to ground is quite remarkable. Given the rules in 2009 it's not only smart but it's probably his most important skill.

Every on-baller at Carlton is better because of Judd. It's not just the attention he draws but when he's in a contested situation his team mates automatically run to a position to receive knowing more often than not he'll either win the contest or force another stoppage.

That's leadership. I wouldn't care if he didn't utter a word on the field I'd say the same.

Oh, and to answer Zeke's question . . . that's what makes him elite.

Jeff just refering to a comment made by 'Neville Bartos' that he doesnt put his body on the line, thats all

 

[Monkey King]

Ummm yeah

http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=77855 -> He's on the committee

He was talking about it on the couch, how he'd pushed hard for the particular captain and not everyone had initially agreed on it.

Well more fool you then. Walls is one guy on a committee of how many? 7 people... including Vlad, Bartlett, Jakovich and Ricciuto. To think he had reign over people of that caliber is just plain embarrassing.

I doubt every player who makes the squad is initially agreed on by everyone let alone the captain, so I'm not sure what you think that means. Either way your suggestion is significantly removed reality.

 

[Belnakor]

Judd's only love is for the almighty $$$. Doesn't have real leadership abilities, he is more of a "lead by example" type of guy because of the stature other people hold him.

 

[Marc Shmurf 3]

Judd's only love is for the almighty $$$. Doesn't have real leadership abilities, he is more of a "lead by example" type of guy because of the stature other people hold him.

well for someone who as you say loves the $$$, he is definately leading his chargers and setting a perfect example of whats right and whats wrong both for the preparation of a game and on game day...

 

[Jatz]

much better now than what he was when he first walked through our doors (for carlton that is)

 

[jim boy]

And just as quick to abandon his team in their hour of need in search of lining his pocket.

He is great player, not a great leader.

 

[Marc Shmurf 3]

And just as quick to abandon his team in their hour of need in search of lining his pocket.

He is great player, not a great leader.

source?

 

[Hap Hapablap]

And just as quick to abandon his team in their hour of need in search of lining his pocket.

He is great player, not a great leader.

couldnt agree more.

 

[ExTasDeeMan]

And just as quick to abandon his team in their hour of need in search of lining his pocket.

He is great player, not a great leader.

+1

Definitely a great player, but not necessarily the best leader. Watching him play for years, doesn't always look like he is doing the team thing IMO. Gibbs is the next captain if anything.