The Serve

Leaving Judd denies club rift

 Family is the reason Chris Judd has given for walking out on the West Coast Eagles after a six year relationship.

Going to great pains to convince the assembled throng that his decision had nothing to do with a suspected fractured relationship with the club, Judd spoke openly about being closer to his Victorian family.

“When you are an AFL footballer, football still makes up just one part of your life,” Judd said.

“You’re still a son, a friend, a brother. Not just a footballer.”

“I guess it’s pretty simple.”

The 2004 Brownlow medalist revealed he had been considering a move to Melbourne for at least two years.

“At the end of 2005, I thought it was unlikely I’d stay on at the end of this contract.”

When questioned about not informing the club of his plans earlier, Judd went on the defensive.

“Thought it would (have been) inappropriate. It would have been a circus.”

“I still captained the side as if I’d be here forever.”

There has been speculation for years that Judd has been unhappy with the club’s handlings of players such as Ben Cousins and Daniel Kerr, who have repeatedly found trouble off the field.

“There’s no ill feeling. No fallout.

“If the club was the ‘East Coast Eagles’, I would have signed a ten year deal for under market price a long time ago.”

Coach John Worsfold admitted he knew Judd was contemplating leaving, however he believed the Eagles were better than a 50/50 chance of retaining their captain.

“I wasn’t stunned. Wasn’t the answer I was hoping for,” Worsfold said.

Whichever Melbourne club lands Judd - Carlton being the early favourites - will have to deal with their new star training on a shortened pre season, with groin surgery to keep Judd sidelined well into summer.

“Four months seems to be the figure,” Judd said.