Chris Judd answers every shot after Carlton sacks Brendon Bolton

Chris Judd was copping it from everyone in the blame game after Brendon Bolton’s sacking. But he refused to back down and took a big swing at Garry Lyon.

Carlton President Mark Loguidice looks on during a press conference at Ikon Park. (AAP Image/James Ross)

Monday night’s episode of Footy Classified was awkwardly-timed for regular panelist and Carlton football director Chris Judd.

Brendon Bolton’s sacking earlier that day had sparked a wave of finger-pointing — with many calling on members of Carlton’s board to consider their own positions after another failed coaching venture.

Several recent public promises Bolton was safe were replayed after he was given his marching orders, with Melbourne great Garry Lyon among those looking to hold Carlton to account for lying to its members.

“They won’t go. But I’m holding them to account to what they said two weeks ago,” Lyon told On The Couch.

“When you back your man in unequivocally and then two weeks later you sack him … the right thing to do would be to go. He (Chris Judd) won’t go. But the noble thing would be to go.”

“Lie to us all you want but don’t get sh***y when we don’t believe you,” Lyon added.

But Judd wasn’t taking the criticism lying down and levelled a personal shot at a man who had been his childhood hero.

“Garry’s entitled to his opinion,” Judd said. “You won’t be surprised that I don’t look at him as a shining light on how I should act. That’s his call and so be it.

“I loved Garry Lyon when I was growing up, we don’t have to agree on all topics. Clearly I’m answerable to the members and the other members of the board.”

Carlton great Mark Maclure had also questioned Judd’s position, telling foxsports.com.au “the director of football should be looked at”.

“I don’t know what Chris Judd has done,” Maclure said. “I work in a business where people question us every day. The numbers come through and if they are not so good why aren’t they on the phone to them? Why aren’t they asking where are we at here?

“I’m not certain whether Chris Judd has done that or not. He’s the director of football and I don’t think he’s even been there.”

Chris Judd at work, handing draft pick Liam Stocker his jersey.

Judd attempted to explain his position on Footy Classified. “I accept that we’re all under scrutiny and under the pump,” he said. “I think what sometimes gets confused is if my role is an operational role or not.

“As a non-executive director, your role is to govern the club and that’s essentially what I do. I sit on this management committee, football performance committee, sit in on the board meetings and I’m the conduit between the board and the football executives and the coaching staff. And that’s really my role, I’m not out there managing people.”

Asked if he doubted his judgment after everything that went down, Judd said he didn’t after another coach was removed mid-season.

“I’m more than comfortable wearing responsibility for where the club is at,” he said. “I think I can make a valuable contribution to this football club and I think I’ve got a skillset that it needs. On the same hand, we’re underperforming, it’s not acceptable and we’ve all got to work out ways to improve and get our club back to where it needs to be.”

Chris Judd addresses the sacking of Brendon Bolton and responds to criticisms of his role as Director of Football at Carlton. #9FootyClassified pic.twitter.com/WQg4EmrBGl

— Footy Classified (@FootyClassified) June 3, 2019

Judd and fellow panellist Caroline Wilson had a heated discussion over club president Mark LoGiudice’s performance at a press conference where Bolton’s sacking was made official.

Only two weeks ago, following another comprehensive loss, LoGiudice was asked if the club was wavering on the position of their coach and firmly stood behind Bolton as the man to lead the club.

“I thought it was disappointing he didn’t stand up and put his hand up and admit he spread some misinformation or things that weren’t quite right or explain why he said things that weren’t quite true,” she said.

Judd hit back: “Anyone who thinks you make a decision and it’s fixed in time for perpetuity is ridiculous,” he said. “You make a decision, you see it through, as the data changes the decision evolves — isn’t that just common sense?”

Tough day for Mark LoGuidice.

KNIVES OUT FOR ‘UNTENABLE’ PRESIDENT

It’s not the first time the man in charge at Carlton has found himself in the gun with questions raised over his tenure.

Back in 2017 it was LoGiudice who pulled the trigger to send then CEO Stephen Trigg on his way despite giving him his tick of approval once again only days earlier.

After pulling off the same move twice in less than two years, questioned were raised to the president at Monday’s press conference why the club’s fans should trust his word going forward.

Again he played a straight bat to any suggestions the club or he was in the wrong and he hadn’t gone against his word.

Q: You did exactly what you said you wouldn’t. Here’s a couple of examples. How can we trust you?
A: We did what we said we would.

— Daniel Cherny 📰 (@DanielCherny) June 3, 2019

But the axe being swung on Bolton has raised several eyebrows and even led many to apply the blowtorch onto LoGiudice.

“Mark LoGiudice’s position is probably untenable now,” Fox Footy’s Tom Morris told Fox Sports News.

“I don’t see how he can possibly survive given he appointed Bolton, he put this strategy in motion and he implemented this plan for the future and now he’s sacked Brendon Bolton two weeks after assuring him via the media of his position.

“The same has occurred here. How can you have a president that is going back on his word. How can Blues fans possibly trust what Mark LoGiudice has to say from here on in. That’s just the reality.

“Maybe it’s time for a new voice. Maybe it’s time for some new blood. Maybe it’s time for a new group of people to appoint a new coach, just someone different, because I don’t think Mark LoGiudice has covered himself in glory both in the decisions they’ve made, the calls they’ve made before the decision, but also the press conference today, I think he was less than impressive.”

The Carlton board have copped a tough day.

Carlton’s struggles on the field are now being amplified by the issues within the club ranks and as they look to resurrect the problems, more heads could roll.

If real changes are going to be made and fans are to be given hope of a prosperous future, the man at the top of the table may well be the next one out the door.

‘HAND THE KEYS OVER’: BOARD UNDER FIRE

The rest of the board has also been under fire with AFL360 host Gerard Whateley and Mark Robinson discussing a possible move.

Whether a challenge is forthcoming is still to come remains to be seen but Whateley admitted the calls would continue.

“I can’t believe that there won’t be people with Carlton close to their hearts that won’t turn around and say it’s time to hand the keys over,” Whateley said before Robinson asked about if he’s expecting a board challenge.

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BLUES SWING AXE ON BOLTON AFTER DISMAL RUN

EVERY WIN DURING BRENDON BOLTON’S REIGN

“I don’t think it could come to a challenge. I think you’d have to sit down and have that reasonable conversation and maybe the board are at the point where they well know it but you can’t do it at the moment.”

Robinson isn’t so sure, having asked LoGiudice the question, with the club president rejecting the call.