From the Herald-Sun, Age and Australian this morning....
CARLTON and West Coast have drawn swords over the No. 1 draft selection, with the Blues yesterday emphatic the first pick would not be part of the Chris Judd trade.
The Eagles have initially -- and boldly -- demanded the No. 1 pick, plus No. 3, No. 20 and West Australian youngster Josh Kennedy in exchange for their former captain.
It's believed the Blues are tipped to offer three parts of the package -- minus the No. 1 choice.
Eagles' CEO Nisbett indicated an offer involving pick No. 1 would be sufficient to clinch the deal. "Chris is the best player in Australia and I just don't believe people when they say an 18-year-old young lad is going to be better than him. I'm in a state of disbelief that any club could think that his value to their club is not the first pick in the national draft."
"It certainly would be a lot better than 3 and 20 or 3 and 20 and whatever," Nisbett said, adding he hoped discussions would not be complicated by other clubs becoming involved.
Blues' CEO Swann said Carlton had long ago reserved its priority pick in the November draft for Northern Knights ruckman Matthew Kreuzer. "From day one, we said we weren't going to give up the farm, and No1 has always been out of the equation in any dealing to get Chris Judd," Swann said.
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Carlton yesterday acknowledged that its main obstacle was Richmond, which has the second selection in the national draft as well as the first pick in the pre-season draft for players out of contract.
Richmond is eyeing the Judd deal, mindful it could benefit from the transaction, and is ready to pounce in the event that Carlton and West Coast cannot come to terms.
The Tigers have first pick in the pre-season draft, which is where Judd would end up if a deal was not reached before the deadline.
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Talking about prices, Judd will earn probably $1.2-1.4 million a year in a five-year contract. From football; his salary and share of what are known as Additional Services Agreements.
He is expected to be listed on at least $800,000 in salary-cap terms. On top of all that, there will be the inevitable "commercial opportunities".
As one industry observer said: "He's got a queue a mile long of people who will want a piece of him." Football and associated opportunities may earn him $2 million a year.