Tigers can lead Judd circus
Greg Denham | September 26, 2007
RICHMOND could yet become the giant in brokering a deal for the former Eagles captain to play in Melbourne next year.
The Tigers, who have the first "live" choice in the November national draft, said yesterday they had not met Judd, or spoken to his manager Paul Connors, for a week.
Carlton has the only priority pick before the draft, followed by Richmond, but Blues chief executive Greg Swann has reiterated several times since Judd quit West Coast last Sunday week that the first selection was reserved for teenage ruckman Matthew Kreuzer.
Swann has ruled out trading Carlton's first pick, but is hopeful a deal can be struck around the third draft selection, which also belongs to the Blues.
Despite Richmond's appeal to West Coast because of its draft position, the Tigers have not been sounded out by the Judd camp, which has so far spoken at length to Carlton, Melbourne, Essendon and Collingwood.
But Connors conceded that the Tigers could become very big players late in trade week next month should negotiations break down between the club or clubs Judd chooses, and the Eagles.
The Tigers also have the advantage of the first selection of the best out-of-contract player in the December pre-season draft.
Richmond football director Greg Miller said yesterday Richmond was "not in the race" due to a youth program responsibility as well as having a tight budget.
"We've got plenty of room in the salary cap, but we're not keen to give up pick two," Miller said.
However, he would not nominate the Tigers' draft strategy.
"We've got a lot to consider, we need to weigh up what's best for the club and it may not be in our best interest to go for Chris Judd," Miller said.
Miller scoffed at suggestions from other clubs and Judd's management that the Tigers could be the wild-card of trade week.
"I spoke to Paul Connors last week to get some feeling for the situation, but I haven't spoken to him since," Miller said.
"Even if things fall over with the other clubs, we could still knock back Judd.
"The Nick Stevens situation was a rarity and I think the other clubs will work it out."
At the end of 2003, Stevens was disenchanted with Port Adelaide and requested to be traded to Collingwood.
The Power was not satisfied with the Magpies' offer of compensation, and opted to let him go into the pre-season draft (to Carlton) for nothing.
"If all things fail, then we'd look at him in the pre-season draft," Miller said.
However, Richmond president Gary March hinted that the Tigers would leave their options open for Judd next month.
"He's not our strong play at the moment," March said. "We're not really in the race, but we've not closed the door either. If things go pear-shaped elsewhere, we'll be interested."
West Coast chief executive Trevor Nisbett said the Eagles needed several options from Judd.
"If it's only one option, one club, that could make it extremely tough for us to assist him," Nisbett said.
"It's not a matter of what we want, it's a matter of what people are prepared to trade for the best player in the country."
Nisbett said the conjecture remains hypothetical. "Carlton says they won't deal with the first pick, and Richmond says they're reluctant to use the second selection for Judd," Nisbett said. "I don't believe everything is set in concrete."
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22482638-5012432,00.html
