The Board of the Carlton Football Club last night endorsed the recommendation of the Match Committee to appoint Chris Judd Captain.
The Board also ratified the Match Committee’s proposal to name Nick Stevens as Vice-Captain.
Judd becomes the 47th player to lead the Blues since the League’s inception, behind such luminaries as the late Ern Henfry, John Nicholls, Alex Jesaulenko, Mike Fitzpatrick and Stephen Kernahan – the longest-serving Captain in the history of both the Carlton Football Club and the VFL/AFL.
“Chris Judd comes to Carlton with outstanding credentials, as his playing CV obviously shows,” Kernahan, Carlton Vice-President, said.
“Chris has demonstrated tremendous leadership qualities throughout the pre-season period, and the Board concurred with the Match Committee’s view that he, together with Nick Stevens as Vice-Captain, was best placed to lead our young playing group into the future.
“Nick has been a very loyal leader of the playing group since joining Carlton in 2004 and is well respected by all the players.”
Carlton Senior Coach Brett Ratten said that Judd’s elevation to the Captaincy reflected his unmatched standing in the game both on and off the field, and was testimony to his professionalism as a senior League footballer.
“Chris has led the way in the four months since he chose Carlton,” Ratten said.
“He has raised the bar in terms of the standards expected of all Players whose privilege it is to wear the Navy Blue guernsey.
“I look forward to working closely with Chris, Nick and our Leadership Group, as we strive to return the Carlton Football Club to its rightful place.”
Judd and Stevens were initially named in a six-man Leadership Group finalised before Carlton’s recent tour to South Africa. That Group also comprises 2007 John Nicholls Medallist Andrew Carrazzo, Brendan Fevola, Heath Scotland and Kade Simpson.
Chris Judd
DOB: September 8, 1983
Recruited from: Caulfield Grammar/Sandringham U18/West Coast
2001 National AFL Draft priority selection (West Coast) No.3; 2007 NAB AFL Draft traded by West Coast for Josh Kennedy, No.3 (Chris Masten) and No.20 (Tony Notte)
Senior games: 134
Senior goals: 138
Honours
Brownlow Medal 2004
3rd Brownlow Medal 2006
West Coast Club Champion 2004, 2006
West Coast Runner-up Club Champion 2003, 2005
West Coast 3rd Club Champion 2002
All-Australian 2004, 2006
International Rules Series 2002
AFL Players Association MVP 2006
Norm smith Medal 2005
West Coast Captain 2006, 2007
West Coast Premiership player 2006
Nick Stevens
DOB:January 3, 1980
Recruited from: St Marys/Preston U18/Port Adelaide
1997 National AFL Draft 2nd Round selection (Port Adelaide) No.25 overall; 2004 Pre-Season AFL Draft, 1st Round selection (Carlton) No.2 overall
Senior games: 192 (65 for Carlton)
Senior goals: 110 (32 for Carlton)
Honours
Carlton Runner-up John Nicholls Medal 2004, 2005
Port Adelaide Runner-up Club champion 2000
Port Adelaide 3rd Club Champion 2001
International Rules Series 2001
AFL Rising Star Nominee 1998
Michael Tuck Medal 2002, 2007
Carlton pre-season Premiership 2005, 2007
Port Adelaide pre-season Premiership 2001, 2002
