Here’s a snapshot of how the media saw Carlton’s bruising 28-point win over the Western Bulldogs on Sunday:
Blues to be tested without Judd
The Age – Rob Forsaith
Carlton showed on Sunday how well they can win without Chris Judd; now it's a skill the AFL club must master if they wish to clamber up the ladder.
Judd lasted six minutes in his first match of the season and scans on Monday confirmed the dual Brownlow medallist would miss five weeks due to his hamstring injury.
The Blues were counting the cost of their 28-point win over the Western Bulldogs, with Ed Curnow (fractured fibula) and Tom Bell (fractured finger) also facing lengthy stints on the sidelines.
Curnow will miss six weeks, while Bell is out for club's next three matches.
Chris Judd to miss potential farewell from Eagles fans in hamstring fallout
The Age – Jon Pierik
If West Coast Eagles supporters had hoped to give Chris Judd a final thank you, that will have to wait - or may not be given at all - after the champion midfielder was ruled out for the next five weeks.
The Blues host the Eagles on Saturday at Etihad Stadium, but will be without their former skipper, who headlines injuries to three key Carlton midfielders from Sunday's bruising win over the Western Bulldogs.
The Blues confirmed on Monday that Judd would miss more than a month after tearing his hamstring, denying him what could be his final match against the Eagles, the club he led to a flag in 2006.
Blues lose Judd in daring win
The Age – Peter Hanlon
Carlton fans would have taken a win of any sort, so cold and dark had their season become before even the first lashings of winter.
But a win of dash and daring and - surely not under Mick Malthouse! - attack through the middle of the ground was really something to put a smile on blue Blue faces.
Thirteen goals to half-time - more than they had managed all game in each of four 2014 losses - betrayed a release of the shackles.
Judd was ready: Malthouse
The Age – Jason Phelan
Carlton coach Mick Malthouse has dismissed suggestions Chris Judd's interrupted preparation was a factor in the star veteran's hamstring injury.
Judd's return from the Achilles tendon surgery he underwent in February lasted just five minutes against the Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, but Malthouse said no amount of preparation could have prevented the injury that soured the Blues' breakthrough first win of the season.
Carlton’s first win over Western Bulldogs dampened by injuries to key players, including star Chris Judd
Herald Sun – Sam Landsberger
Carlton’s breakthrough win has been soured by a triple injury blow headlined by superstar Chris Judd who is set to miss five weeks.
Midfielder Ed Curnow has been ruled out for six weeks while Tom Bell will undergo surgery on his finger tomorrow which could sideline the big-bodied utility for a month.
Blues football boss Andrew McKay told SuperFooty the timing for Judd, who lasted just six minutes in his first game for 2014, was “good”.
Carlton recruit Dale Thomas says Blues will take confidence from win, own form gradually improving
Herald Sun – Jon Ralph
Carlton recruit Dale Thomas says the Blues will take real confidence from their first win of the season after a week of headlines at Visy Park.
Thomas took another step forward with a 16-possession game played deep in defence, aware the critics have been quick to jump on his performances.
He said the Blues knew the football world had come at them in recent weeks, but believed the season would turn if they improved their efforts.
Carlton coach Mick Malthouse says injury to superstar Chris Judd won’t derail season as club builds after first win
Herald Sun – Jay Clark
Carlton will have to resurrect its finals hopes without superstar Chris Judd after hurting his hamstring in the Blues’ first win of the season over the Western Bulldogs last night.
Judd’s nightmare season continued when the dual Brownlow Medallist grabbed his right hamstring and pulled up lame only six minutes into his comeback from an Achilles injury.
Judd, who came on the ground as the substitute late in the third term, is expected to miss at least three weeks, sidelining the champion ball-winner for Saturday’s clash against his old side West Coast.
I’ll be back, Chris Judd assures Carlton
The Australian – Greg Denham
Ageing Carlton star Chris Judd yesterday declared “I’ll be back” following scans on his damaged right hamstring that ruled him out for at least another five weeks.
After missing the first four rounds of the season following Achilles surgery, Judd lasted only a few minutes playing as a substitute against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday night before breaking down.
Injured Judd maintains he was ready for AFL return
The Australian – AAP
Carlton superstar Chris Judd is adamant a lack of luck rather than fitness was responsible for his hamstring injury.
Judd made a delayed start to the AFL season due to Achilles surgery, and lasted six minutes in his return before limping off Etihad Stadium in his side’s win over the Western Bulldogs yesterday.
The dual Brownlow Medallist will undergo scans today, with sports medico Peter Larkins telling Fox Footy he would spend at least four weeks on the sidelines.
Carlton’s first win overshadowed by Chris Judd breaking down again
The Australian – Courtney Walsh
Carlton’s relief at posting its first win this season has been tempered by an injury to returning champion Chris Judd.
The Blues put an end to their poor form with a seven-goal opening term and held that advantage for much of the match to defeat the Western Bulldogs by 28 points at Etihad Stadium.
We deserved criticism, says resurgent Carrazzo
AFL Website – Jennifer Phelan
Andrew Carrazzo says the Carlton players were intent on making a statement against the Western Bulldogs after a fortnight of intense but justified media scrutiny.
The Blues' vice-captain said the 28-point win over the Dogs on Sunday came after the players finally shifted to "the same page" after four straight losses to start the season.
He said the scrutiny on the players and club had been justified in recent weeks but felt the win over the Dogs signalled a positive change.
Chris Judd out for five weeks for Carlton due to what he says is just bad luck
ABC – AAP
Carlton superstar Chris Judd is expected to miss five weeks after scans on Monday confirmed a hamstring strain suffered in the win over the Bulldogs on Sunday.
Judd is adamant a lack of luck rather than fitness was responsible for the strain incurred when he was pushed by Bulldogs forward Stewart Crameri.
Judd made a delayed start to the AFL season due to achilles surgery, and lasted six minutes in his return on Sunday before limping off Docklands Stadium.