Dual Brownlow medallist Chris Judd thinks Charlie Curnow is at the moment one of the best participant within the AFL and has backed the star ahead to take his former Blues to premiership success.
Judd, who was unveiled on Monday because the presenter of the Norm Smith Medal on grand last day, says his “head says Carlton” will win the flag in addition to his coronary heart on the eve of the finals.
It has usually been troublesome for key ahead pairs to each fireplace in September, however Judd stated Curnow and Harry McKay may have a serious affect on Carlton’s finals run.
“I think it’s possible, and it certainly helps when there’s two of them,” he stated.
“Harry’s just coming back into the team and has obviously had some injury interruptions, but Charlie is just right in the conversation for the best player in the league at the minute.
“I hope that doesn’t add any extra pressure to him, but he’s the type of player who you could see really being set up for a big September.”
Judd stated as an older facet out of the finals contenders, Carlton was properly positioned to comply with up its top-eight berth once more subsequent season.
The younger Melbourne facet that compelled its approach to a preliminary last in 2018 fell away to seventeenth the next 12 months after which missed the finals once more in 2020 earlier than piecing collectively a profitable flag tilt in 2021.
Fremantle, which was the equal second-youngest facet this season by common age, fell away considerably to complete 14th after reaching the semi-finals in 2022.
Judd stated the Blues’ senior gamers, together with skipper Patrick Cripps, would by no means take a top-eight spot as a right in future after 10 years and not using a last.
“(Cripps) will really appreciate it – if you first get drafted into a team that’s playing finals football, that’s all you know, so you become accustomed to that just (being) normal,” he stated.
“Guys that wait an extended period of time, they’re under no illusions how hard it is to get there, and I actually think those older teams that have success are more likely to have follow-up success because the young guys do fall into habits of thinking it’s easier than it is.
“You find even though young teams have age on their side, they generally fall off a cliff quicker than the older ones who fully appreciate just how hard it is to get there and just how easily it can be taken away.”
One of solely 4 gamers to be awarded the Norm Smith Medal in a shedding staff when the Eagles misplaced the 2005 decider to Sydney, Judd stated it had been little comfort on the time.
“I’d describe it as sub-optimal, yeah,” he stated with a smile.
Former Sydney champion Josh Kennedy will current the premiership cup on grand last day, whereas twin Geelong premiership coach Mark Thompson will current the Jock McHale Medal to the profitable coach.
Source: www.news.com.au
