A lot of talk about him being on the slide but I still think he's clearly our best player. Is it a problem that Murphy, Gibbs, Kreuzer and Yarran haven't taken that next step?
There is absolutely no doubt that he's still our best player but the saddest thing is that, even though he's undoubtedly slowing down and is approaching 30, he still the closest thing we have to being a complete footballer.
We need a hell of a lot of work in a lot of areas!
At his best Murphy is a contender, unfortunately there is daylight to the next nomination...
Chris Judd is our best player I agree, but he is also one of the best in the competition still.
He is an extraordinary player, whose best is better than most than maybe 1 other in the competiton (Ablett).
We should not be so hard on the others.
The problem at Carlton has always been developmental.
C.Judd 3 Votes.
Still our best player and that is a worry. Murphy I think has been weighed down by the captaincy and is not a strong leader. For mine I thought it should have been Carrazzo.
Sadly yes he is. Would like to see him at this point of his career play predominantly forward with the odd run on the ball. Thats simply not possible with the lack of development in our list
Even though he isn't the player he once was, his application & professionalism cannot be faulted. He also commands a solid tag from the opposition which suggests they know he is still very dangerous too.
Yeah I think that's very true. I haven't seen a game recently where Judd wasn't tagged.
He is easily our best player
I'd definitely have him as first picked each week.
Hardest trier without a doubt. Most talented players are Murphy and Yarran by far. Judd still wins plenty of ball but butchers it and beta a free reign defensively whilst others are criticised for not doing the defensive things.
Tambling was talented, Yarran has a long long way to go.
Murphy looked set to take over as our number 1 but he hasn't been the same player since the Dangerfield hit last year.
Tambling showed glimpses but I think Yarran has delivered more in his short career - long way to go though.
Do you think the Captaincy is weighing him down? Should have been Carrazzo I thought.
100% agree with this....
Judd is so far ahead of the rest in this team, it's a major concern.
It's actually depressing when you think about it. What the hell has happened to them? It's the culture and it's been festering for some time.
I was living in hope that Kreuzer, Gibbs and Murphy would be better than Judd by mid next season. I'm guessing that isn't going to happen, but there is time for me to be proven a complete idiot. At the moment he is our most valuable and best player. ;)
Yep easily our best player.....its 100% effort and he doesnt stop trying....I think he is frustrated at times when he cant win games for us, the mind is willing but the kicks just lob short or the handball just misses its target or he just can shrug that tackle like he used to but that never stops him from backing up and going again and he is a true professional..
Depends on how you define "best". I think he played his best footy at WCE where he was well supported by team mates.
Injuries have taken their toll, as has the attention he has had and continues to receive, from opposition players whilst playing for us, plus age has slowed him a bit - but he's still a dangerous player.
In terms of drive, tenacity and professionalism, I think he is still very much at the forefront of our team. He certainly set the standard for consistent athletic output which no Carlton player has been able to match to date.
Judd's a champ - just wish we had a few more like him ;)
Whilst Judd's don't come along all that often - why haven't our draft picks developed into champions? Murphy has stagnated right now, Gibbs is probably playing his best football since getting here but Kruezer isn't the same since that injury. It isn't just those 3 though - where are the others?
Judd isn't the player he was, these days he's become a crash and bash workhorse although a very good one, at his peak he was a game breaker.
At his best Murphy is our most dangerous player.
Someone else mentioned true enough how good he is when they pop him up forward when they wanna shake things up. Got great vision and is a decent kick too.
Yeah he's not a bad option to push forward and he can lose a tag there.
It will be interesting to see how Judd goes at this year's B&F. Blokes in the 150 game range should be blitzing it. Not someone in the 250 game range.
I thought when Murph won the B&F in 2011 the era was over. Sadly it's not but what's even sadder is that it's not because Judd has found another gear, in fact he has slipped and others have not risen.
Yes exactly. This is our big worry and it has major ramifications going forward.
It's why we need to inject kids like Menzel, Buckley and Graham.
Careful using words like 'inject' these days JK ;)
Yes they are 3 that should be played. I noted elsewhere the Graham was tagged on Sunday - which is probably a first at that level for him. It's also a measure of how well they regarded him.
Confident our boys are clean Spf, and they can still do "whatever it takes" ;)
Yes, Judd is still our best player, and that is a bit sad as I reckon that Murphy, Gibbs and even Yarran have had time to go past him, if they ever were or will.
Juddy has been pretty average late last year and early this year.
However, the last month or 2 Juddy has turned it on...and the rest of the team seems to have stayed the same, or even gone backwards.
Yes definitely.
Next best is Andrew Walker. He could have been traded two years ago to Adelaide. ::)
Agree....you have to be able to get a handle on players ability and make calls early these days and I think these three can make it with Menzel having real A grade potential....something a bit Wayne Johnston like about T. Menzel with his skills, can only hope and pray he gets that Dominator win at all costs attitude happening.
Buckley has pace and kicks goals and is your ideal sub IMO...we need to put pressure on Garlett, Yarran and Betts for their spots and I reckon Buckley is the man.
Graham is your old style crafty footballer who knows his way around a ground and will gather possies very easily.....probably lacks a yard of pace but has the smarts to overcome that.
Maybe needs to do a bit more the other way when opposing teams have the ball.....like to think we can get him fitter and be a Dane Swan type who will not stand out too much but at the end games you look at the stat sheet and he has had a lot of the ball and been very effective all while being very unspectacular.
Elwood1. Menzel, Buckley and Graham need to get far more exposure in the seniors. They need to get up to the pace of the game, and they need to develop under the pressure they will experience in the future if they are to develop properly. Sure they don't have to play every game, but they can't be left in the seconds forever. I haven't seen much of Graham so I will trust you and take your word on his ability. You haven't pumped up the tyres of an ordinary player yet. ;)
I thought his start to the year was pretty good as well.
Thanks Mants but I have plenty of skeletons of ordinary players hiding in the cupboard who never gave a yelp.... :-[.....Luke Mitchell being one of them.....
Nick Graham's selection was the work of Nick Stevens who coached the lad at U18 level and pumped his tyres up to our recruiters....Morrish medal winner and a player noted for his skills, ability to create goals for others and kick a few himself when he pushes forward. What I like about Graham is his ability to use the ball in traffic and he is very good in the wet weather.
I see him as a footballers footballer rather than a athlete with upside.....needs to get fitter and his playing weight up a bit more and then he will serve us well IMO....
I hate using the word, but "potentially" Yarran is our best player.
He's got it all when it comes to skill and athletic ability, he's one of a rare breed who can make the difficult look easy but we all know it takes more than talent to make a champion.
I'm still hopeful.