When ‘Mike & Dan’ began planning this year’s articles we were worried that Chris Judd would win Play of the Week every week, and we considered changing format. The new Captain would surely be at the top of the list each week! But thankfully the entire list is showing more and more confidence and ability, and it has taken until Round 17 for Chris to get the nod. We were lucky enough to catch up with Chris and find out what’s taken him so long to win the nomination…

Chris, you win this week’s “Play of the Week” for bursting through that tackle in the middle when the game was on the line and delivering lace out to Fev. Great play - do you remember it?

Thanks guys, yeah I remember it, I got a handball receive in the midfield and got around young Everitt, looked up and saw Fev and just tried to put it out in front of him.

Tell us about the last quarter and how the team lifted - anyone in particular deserves a mention?

I don’t want to single anyone out but, you look at Gibbs, Murphy, Kreuzer and a lot of the young guys and its just really exciting to be a part of them and watch them develop and I think in years to come it will be a particularly strong midfield group. We got on top in that area and our forwards presented well and were on the end of it.

What did Ratts say at 3/4 time?

By ¾ time we were within striking distance, I think it was only about two goals the difference so it was anyone’s game, so we were pretty confident, Ratts was really calm but our young group has the belief and the third quarter gave us a lot of confidence.

Chris, thanks for coming to Carlton. (Not a question, just a statement)

• Laughs* – thanks for having me.

I cannot remember a time that the competition was so even and so many places in the finals were up for grabs. Is it a statement on the strength of the national competition, a reflection of the equalisation strategies of the AFL, or just a few teams losing form at the wrong time?

Good question, it’s probably a bit of all of those things, and you could make a case for each of them. I don’t know if it is teams losing form, because most of the teams from 4th to ourselves and Essendon have been up and down, but like most seasons it’s always intriguing.

One of the reasons rumoured behind your decision to choose Carlton was the history and feel of a proper footy 'club' - not a footballing organization. On days like Sunday, when a popular clubman like Wiggo reaches a milestone and the reception you both (and the team) received - is that reinforced?

I was rapt for Wiggo, he has worked his butt off for 8 tough years at the Club and it was great to see him get the applause and credits he deserved on the weekend.

Many Carlton fans have been debating how and where our improvement has come from this year. Do you have a view? You, maturity…Coaching…what is it?

I think maturity has a lot to do with it and also the Club has really increased its resources for the players. Justin Cordy and his fitness team has helped, Skinny and Teaguey emphasis on development has been great for our young guys and we have a great mix of coaches.

Obama or McCain?

Obama

You have a young leadership group at the club. Which players do you turn to when you need advice about your game?

We work pretty closely as a leadership group and all the guys in that group have a strong say in the future direction of the club.

After Bryce Gibbs' last month, will you be going to him for on-field advice anytime soon?

Gibbsy has had a super month playing on some of the biggest names in the game. He has a good footballing brain and despite his young age is definitely a player who's opinion is valuable to me and many players his senior in age and games played.

Who should we look out for in the Bullants that might surprise us over the next year? Anyone whose game you take a particular interest in?

Probably Aaron Joseph, he was playing some good footy with the Ants and he was training really well, unfortunately he has had appendicitis and has missed a small chunk of footy.

How are you enjoying being based at home in Victoria? Has anything surprised you about living here again?
Nothing has surprised me, I travelled to Melbourne a bit when I was in Perth, I’m really enjoying it but these cold mornings are getting to me!

Last week we spoke to Jamo, and he told us he tried to watch most matches from the weekend at some point in his preparation. Do you get to see much footy?

I see a bit, I don't really watch any footy on the weekends until our game has been played and then I'm happy to watch it, if we play Friday night I’ll see a bit but on a weekend like last week I didn’t catch much.

16 games for Carlton, 150 all up... Premiership, Brownlow... What is there for Chris Judd to achieve in the remainder of his footy career?

I’m only 24 so hopefully there’s still plenty to achieve, I’m looking forward to the future at Carlton, there’s a lot of work to be done but we have a talented young group and that’s exciting for all of us.

The player Mike’s 2 year old boy knows as ‘Uncle Chris’ has been an outstanding addition to the Carlton Football Club for both his on-field skills and off-field presence. Given his form on the weekend it may just be that every week is now Chris Judd Play of the Week Week…