Murray MiddletonDid Carlton Get It Right?
February 21st 2008 04:22
On Tuesday Carlton appointed Chris Judd as captain for season 2008. The decision had been widely predicted ever since the Blues secured a deal for Judd in trade week. There is no doubt that Judd has the credentials. At 24, he has captained an AFL premiership, won a Brownlow Medal, won a Norm Smith Medal, and - prior to groin problems- was widely considered to be the best player in the competition. Judd's reputation has remained in tact in spite of West Coast's much-publicised off-field indiscretions. He is a quiet, level headed and, most importantly, modest champion. The only question that remains is: should Carlton have appointed a player as captain before he played a game for the club?
The Blues have struggled for leadership ever since Dennis Pagan took over in 2003. Aaron Hamill would have been the obvious choice as captain had he not defected to St. Kilda in 2002. His presence was sorely missed. Andrew McKay briefly took the reigns before his retirement. Anthony Koutoufides' time in charge was plagued by the club's on-field woes and his own struggles with form and injury. Lance Whitnall was appointed captain in 2007 and endured a horrific season - on and off the field - that resulted in his early retirement. Can you imagine Chris Judd being embroiled in an egging controversy? What became abundantly clear was that Carlton needed a great leader to return them to the top of the AFL ladder.
Many names have been mentioned as captaincy material. Nick Stevens - who was appointed vice captain on Tuesday - was seemingly the next in line when Whitnall was finally freed to enjoy the fast-food circuit. In a surprise move, Stevens was ommited from the Blues ten-man leadership group in 2007. His ommission was even more perplexing given the selection of youngsters Mark Murphy and the the uncapped Bryce Gibbs. The only conclusion to draw was that Stevens had fallen out with coach Dennis Pagan. In light of comments made in Anthony Koutoufides' autobriography last year, this seems a likely outcome. The main problem with appointing Stevens as captain is that he is not a Carlton born and bred player. He only arrived at the club through Mark Williams' stubborn, yet admirable decision not to yield to Collingwood's cunning recruiting policy in 2003. But nor is Judd a Carlton man through and through.
Mark Murphy is a gifted footballer embarking on his third season of AFL football. He is already one of the Blues' best midfielders. But there is much room for improvement in his game. There is no need for Carlton to burden Murphy with higher leadership responsibilities. He should be viewed as a future captain, perhaps once Judd has retired. Let him develop as a footballer and gain the confidence necessary to lead an AFL team. With the exception of Wayne Carey, there is nothing to be gained by throwing a young footballer to the wolves. The same applies to Bryce Gibbs, who, alongside Judd, Stevens, Heath Scotland and Andrew Carrazzo, should form a more potent midfield for the Blues this season. Being a number one draft pick involves enough pressure. If the Blues are to improve it will owe more to the likes of Murphy, Gibbs and Kruezer than to Judd.
Brendon Fevola is the Blues' second best player. In recent years there has been much speculation that Fevola will be traded. Fevola is now 27 years old and is unlikely to command a high price on the trade market again. He has won a Coleman Medal and is now likely to see out his career at the Blues. However Fevola is no captain. Put simply, he is too stupid. Judd never drops his head on the football field, nor does he berate his teamates, nor does he allegedly punch bartenders in his spare time. Fevola would be best to behave himself and enjoy the improved delivery that Judd will provide. If he does this he will probably win the Coleman Medal for the second time. There is still time for Fevola to be remembered as a premiership player.
Season 2008 is an important one for the Blues. Their supporters have been starved of success in recent years. They have a new coach, a new captain and a president who has embodied the ethos of this once almighty club by 'buying' a star player. The Blues will not make the finals. The loss of Brad Fisher will hurt (he was one of the rare cunning draft choices under Pagan's regime). Realistically, a finish of twelfth or above would mark a big improvment. The supporters should not expect miracles from Chris Judd. He is still under an injury cloud and may take time to deliver. Chris Judd is only one man. But he is the right man for the job, by default.
Thankyou for reading.
-MM
The Blues have struggled for leadership ever since Dennis Pagan took over in 2003. Aaron Hamill would have been the obvious choice as captain had he not defected to St. Kilda in 2002. His presence was sorely missed. Andrew McKay briefly took the reigns before his retirement. Anthony Koutoufides' time in charge was plagued by the club's on-field woes and his own struggles with form and injury. Lance Whitnall was appointed captain in 2007 and endured a horrific season - on and off the field - that resulted in his early retirement. Can you imagine Chris Judd being embroiled in an egging controversy? What became abundantly clear was that Carlton needed a great leader to return them to the top of the AFL ladder.
Many names have been mentioned as captaincy material. Nick Stevens - who was appointed vice captain on Tuesday - was seemingly the next in line when Whitnall was finally freed to enjoy the fast-food circuit. In a surprise move, Stevens was ommited from the Blues ten-man leadership group in 2007. His ommission was even more perplexing given the selection of youngsters Mark Murphy and the the uncapped Bryce Gibbs. The only conclusion to draw was that Stevens had fallen out with coach Dennis Pagan. In light of comments made in Anthony Koutoufides' autobriography last year, this seems a likely outcome. The main problem with appointing Stevens as captain is that he is not a Carlton born and bred player. He only arrived at the club through Mark Williams' stubborn, yet admirable decision not to yield to Collingwood's cunning recruiting policy in 2003. But nor is Judd a Carlton man through and through.
Mark Murphy is a gifted footballer embarking on his third season of AFL football. He is already one of the Blues' best midfielders. But there is much room for improvement in his game. There is no need for Carlton to burden Murphy with higher leadership responsibilities. He should be viewed as a future captain, perhaps once Judd has retired. Let him develop as a footballer and gain the confidence necessary to lead an AFL team. With the exception of Wayne Carey, there is nothing to be gained by throwing a young footballer to the wolves. The same applies to Bryce Gibbs, who, alongside Judd, Stevens, Heath Scotland and Andrew Carrazzo, should form a more potent midfield for the Blues this season. Being a number one draft pick involves enough pressure. If the Blues are to improve it will owe more to the likes of Murphy, Gibbs and Kruezer than to Judd.
Brendon Fevola is the Blues' second best player. In recent years there has been much speculation that Fevola will be traded. Fevola is now 27 years old and is unlikely to command a high price on the trade market again. He has won a Coleman Medal and is now likely to see out his career at the Blues. However Fevola is no captain. Put simply, he is too stupid. Judd never drops his head on the football field, nor does he berate his teamates, nor does he allegedly punch bartenders in his spare time. Fevola would be best to behave himself and enjoy the improved delivery that Judd will provide. If he does this he will probably win the Coleman Medal for the second time. There is still time for Fevola to be remembered as a premiership player.
Season 2008 is an important one for the Blues. Their supporters have been starved of success in recent years. They have a new coach, a new captain and a president who has embodied the ethos of this once almighty club by 'buying' a star player. The Blues will not make the finals. The loss of Brad Fisher will hurt (he was one of the rare cunning draft choices under Pagan's regime). Realistically, a finish of twelfth or above would mark a big improvment. The supporters should not expect miracles from Chris Judd. He is still under an injury cloud and may take time to deliver. Chris Judd is only one man. But he is the right man for the job, by default.
Thankyou for reading.
-MM
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