Hypotheticals Part 2: Gun Midfielders

[Punk Rooster]

Ok, who would you have in your team?
Also gives reasons why or why not.

[JK]

I would take Ablett, but of all those players at their peak fitness and form, I think Judd has been the most oustanding.

Black has been a great player but has less time ahead of him in the game, and Judd whilst still great, is still missing that electrifying burst of speed he once had.

[Dirko]

I'd take Juddy, as his groin will be better next season after a FULL pre season etc.

I think it shows the class of Judd, when you look at WCE this year, and the difference he's
made to Carlton. A bit biased too I might add...

Ablett is a gun, and would have him any day...

[JK]

I'd take Juddy, as his groin will be better next season after a FULL pre season etc.

I think it shows the class of Judd, when you look at WCE this year, and the difference he's
made to Carlton. A bit biased too I might add...

Ablett is a gun, and would have him any day...

Except Thursday June 12 2008?

I reckon it's still unknown as to whether Judd will re-gain the full stride he used to have, and that was the clincher between he and Ablett for mine.

I must admit though, I thought Judd's game would struggle more than it has with his drop in pace .. His ball winning and close quarter ability, coupled with his awesome disposal has added another dimension to his alltime greatness IMHO.

[Punk Rooster]

take into consideration that they are in their prime...

I'd take SOG (Ablett), as I believe that as good as Judd is, he always operated under the cover of Cousins/Kerr- a luxury Ablett does not have (mind you, Bartel's no slouch). Black is probably in the same boat as Judd- backed up by (Brownlow Medallist) midfielders.

[rogernumber10]

Chris Judd, as a Geelong supporter.
Goals - Judd has played 95 pct of his career as a midfielder and averages just over a goal per game. Ablett played most of the first five years as a career as a forward with stints in the midfield, and his goal average per game is around 1.3. Judd has the repeated ability over multiple years to kick the game-changing or team lifting goal from a contested situation. Ablett's done it for less time if we are talking midfield role.
Contested possession - Judd led the league last year until injured, he clearly leads the league this year and he was in the first three in the competition each year of his peak years at West Coast. Judd is the guy that if you chuck the ball in front of a group at training, he's going to be the one who gets it cleanly the most, and then delivers it the best, the most times.
Tagging - It's only in the last year and a half that Gazza has taken the screaming mare, due to a hard tag, out of his game. Before that, he posted shockers when he just accepted the tag and put in a quiet day. Judd's had a hard tag since 2003 and posted very few shockers, and a chunk of them were due to debilitating injury.

Finally, the entire history of the game always says when given the choice between two champions you reckon it's hard to split for ground-level skills, take the taller one, because the options he can provide if the ball is in the air. Judd has 7cm over Gazza.

PS - But absolutely no complaints that we've got Gazza to watch down at the Cattery.

[Blue Boy]

Chris Judd !!!

I didnt realise that he is still only 24 !!!

[Sean]

I heard a funny story the other day. When Carlton last played West Coast, the West Coast boys were getting into Judd a bit. With all the tape on his houlders, one West Coast player said to Judd, "hey Chris, your shoulders are @#$ked mate". To which Judd replied, "that's beacause I've been carrying you @#$ts for the last 5 years". Gold I reckon.

If it's true, a funny story, if not, still a funny story.

[Blue Boy]

I heard a funny story the other day. When Carlton last played West Coast, the West Coast boys were getting into Judd a bit. With all the tape on his houlders, one West Coast player said to Judd, "hey Chris, your shoulders are @#$ked mate". To which Judd replied, "that's beacause I've been carrying you @#$ts for the last 5 years". Gold I reckon.

If it's true, a funny story, if not, still a funny story.

Very true and earnt more respect from me !!!

[Pidge]

Simon Black is who I have chosen. He is a work-a-holic and an underrated player as he ply's his trade in Queensland. He is on track for another brownlow this year

[hearts on fire]

They are all great midfielders but i can not go passed Gary Ablett Jnr.

What a champion!

[Dutchy]

Simon Black has the best record of them all...and possibly will still have the best record in a decades time...

Could Judd's bext be behind him?

[Strawb]

Ablett Jr is a gun he proved that plebty of times this year. Pity he missed the hall of fame game. Bartel and Ablett make a top centre line. Geelong has been blessed with a top group of young draft picks and kids.

[Punk Rooster]

Could Judd's bext be behind him?

you know, I thought the same thing myself....

[Dirko]

Could Judd's bext be behind him?

you know, I thought the same thing myself....

His stats actually are better this year, then they've been previously. Leading the contested possession count
by so much they should just stop as barring a major injury no one will get near him.

At Geelong, Ablett has the support of Ling, Bartel, Corey, Selwood et al, all bloody good players, similar to what
Judd had at WCE with Kerr & Cousins.

At Carlton he won't get that support for a season or two, until Murphy, Gibbs, Bentick etc are older and more bigger
bodied. Also Aka had the same op and said it took him 9 months to get full power back....look at him this year !!
Give Judd a full pre season and he'll burn....(well I hope so)...

[Punk Rooster]

fair enough SJABC- Champions always produce when people write thrm off.
I think that Dutchy & myself emphasise the word "could"

[Rik E Boy]

When it's all over for the three of them Gazza will own them all.

regards,

REB

[westozfalcon]

Fully fit, I'd take Judd. His blistering acceleration off the mark and ability to break tackles wins me over.