Months after he contemplated retirement, Chris Judd is in his best physical shape in years, Carlton coach Mick Malthouse says.
Judd was sensational in his first game of the year against Collingwood in Bendigo on Sunday, vying for best afield honours with teammate Chris Yarran.
Judd was typically prolific on the stats sheet, racking up 23 disposals, but it was his experience and class around stoppages (10 clearances) that made him a game changer.
HIGHLIGHTS: Blues roll Pies in Bendigo
The dual Brownlow medallist fought injury for much of last season. Pre-season Achilles tendon surgery delayed his start to the year, while his torn right hamstring after just six minutes in his comeback game against the Western Bulldogs kept him sidelined until round 13.
Malthouse was full of praise for the star veteran after the seven-point win over the Pies, backing up his comments on AFL.com.au during the week that the former Eagles champion is conditioned perfectly leading into his 14th AFL campaign.
"Physically he is (in great shape). He's always seemed to have something that's held him back, but today ..." Malthouse said after the match.
The Blues coach was pleased with the way his team was starting to jell in the lead up to the season opener against Richmond on April 2.
Eight players – Andrew Carrazzo, Andrejs Everitt, Bryce Gibbs, Lachie Henderson, Michael Jamison, Troy Menzel, Robert Warnock) and Judd – all played their first games for the season.
VIDEO: Andrejs Everitt post-match interview
Malthouse said the Blues expect to welcome several key playmakers, headlined by captain Marc Murphy, for their final NAB Challenge clash with Geelong at Etihad Stadium next Sunday.
"We'll bring in Murphy, (Dale) Thomas, (David) Ellard and maybe (Matthew) Watson next week, which means a few of these (players) will drop out," Malthouse said.
"We want to have 28 to 29 players that we can pick from, not just against Richmond but for the first two or three games (of the season)
"We're in a better position (than last year)."
PHOTOS: NAB Challenge - Carlton v Collingwood
Malthouse said injuries to Warnock (shoulder) and Bryce Gibbs' (shoulder) were of no concern ahead of a meeting with the Cats.
"He's OK," Malthouse said when asked about how Warnock was faring.
"All the blokes are OK. You don't take chances in these games."
VIDEO: Andrew Carrazzo post-match interview
Malthouse himself returned to the coaching box for the first time since August last year after missing last week's trip to Mandurah against West Coast to support wife Nanette, who underwent investigative surgery last week.
The master coach admitted a few pre-game jitters.
"You're constantly moving around and thinking about things you don't need to be. And then when the whistle blows and the siren starts the game you get back into it pretty quickly," Malthouse said.
