Please Explain: Glenn McFarlane takes a look at Chris Judd's love of playing the Sydney Swans
IN this week's edition of Please Explain, Glenn McFarlane examines Chris Judd's phenomenal record against the reigning premiers.
Glenn McFarlane
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DEAR John Longmire,
We know you've had your hands full this week, balancing selection issues, the limited preparation surrounding some stars, and memories of an uncharacteristic fade-out to Hawthorn last week.
But there's another serious headache that you will have to face head-on this Saturday night.
Chris Judd.
I'm sure we're not telling you anything that you don't already know, but the stats show Juddy has a better record against the Swans than any other player over the past decade.
Yes, the man who wears the navy blue No.5 might have turned 30 last Sunday, but he turned his club's fortunes around that afternoon - not for the first time - against Richmond in a stunning elimination final second half.
Judd was at his devastating best, first-up from a knee injury that would have ruled many out for the rest of the season before the Blues' get-out-of-jail finals wildcard.
If he hadn't done that, the chances are you would be preparing for a finals clash with the Tigers this weekend.
Judd's individual dominance against the Swans hasn't always mirrored that of his team's, but it has been pointed nevertheless and it extends back to when you first became assistant coach of Sydney in 2002 and when he was a first-year Eagles young gun.
And it remains as true now that you are Swans senior coach and he is still performing to a high level with his second club, Carlton.
Judd has played more games (21) against Sydney than any other club.
He has also had more disposals against the Swans - 529 - than any other rival club during his 12 seasons with the Eagles (2002-07) and the Blues (2008 to now).
But a close inspection of Champion Data's stats since 2005 - the year that the Judd-Swans rivalry took off - makes for fascinating reading.
Of all the footballers to have played six or more games against Sydney over the past eight years, Judd ranks No.1 in disposals, contested possessions, clearances and inside 50s.
Judd has averaged 26.2 touches in games against Sydney since 2005, with 16.4 of them being contested.
He also averages 7.6 clearances and 5.8 clearances against the Swans in that time.
When thinking of Judd's great performances against Sydney, the easy one that comes to mind is the 2005 Grand Final, when he became only the fourth player to win the Norm Smith Medal in a losing team.
He hurt the Swans that day, but not enough to stop you guys from breaking the longest premiership drought in footy history.
Juddy had 29 touches, 11 clearances, 17 contested possessions and polled 11 Norm Smith votes to win the best afield honours - almost double the next best player (Nic Fosdike).
He had almost as many touches, clearances and contested possessions in the following year's Grand Final. But while he didn't poll a vote in the Norm Smith, he still hurt the Swans big time, playing an important role in the Eagles' one-point win. And he was West Coast's premiership skipper.
Judd's move back to Melbourne - and to Carlton - has carried on his tradition of big performances against the Swans.
Juddy almost stitched you up with a herculean effort in the 2010 elimination final at ANZ Stadium.
His third term was vintage Judd - 10 possessions, six clearances and five contested disposals - and it almost had to be seen to be believed.
From the coaches' box, it would have been a scary sight.
From the boundary line, where Carlton's then-coach Brett Ratten watched it, he described it as the best quarter of footy he had seen anyone play that season.
Still, a missed chance from the skipper and others late in the game cost the Blues a win.
The following year - 2011 – Juddy produced his best statistical performance against the Bloods - 33 touches, 15 clearances and an almost insane 25 contested possessions - to help his team cause an upset. Some wondered if it had been his most complete performance.
Even now, at 30, Judd is still capable of causing sleepless nights for coaches, especially at this time of the year.
There are plenty of Blues midfielders that you will need to be mindful of on Saturday night, but there is only one C. Judd.
He might be feeling a bit sore this week and that might impact on him second-up, but you wouldn't want to take any chances.
Might be time for you to get Kieren Jack or Ryan O'Keefe to lock down on the great man because, as Richmond found out, if you give him space, it can come back to haunt you.
Yours Sincerely,
Glenn McFarlane
JUDD V THE SWANS
Stat Average AFL Rank
Disposals 26.2 1st
Cont. possessions 16.4 1st
Clearances 7.6 1st
Inside 50s 5.8 1st
* players must have played six or more games against Sydney since 2005
** stats courtesy of Champion Data
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