Judd trade doesn't bother Worsfold - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Judd trade doesn't bother Worsfold

By Justin Chadwick 22/06/2011 06:09:55 PM Comments (0)

West Coast coach John Worsfold claims he barely ever thinks about the blockbuster AFL trade that saw Chris Judd switch to Carlton and Josh Kennedy reluctantly make his way west.

Eagles fans were left shattered when Judd headed to Carlton at the end of 2007, decimating West Coast's once glamorous midfield.

As part of the trade, Kennedy was convinced to join West Coast and the Eagles also snared picks No.3 (Chris Masten) and No.20 (Tony Notte).

Along with Judd, the Blues received pick No.46 (Dennis Armfield).

Notte has since been de-listed by the Eagles, and the jury is still out on Masten, who is yet to reach any great heights during his injury-plagued 47-game career.

Although Worsfold speaks glowingly of the impact Judd had on West Coast's 2006 premiership success, the coach said he was thrilled to have gained the services of Kennedy, who has booted 37 goals this season to establish himself as one of the best centre-half forwards in the competition.

"I'm coaching Josh Kennedy and I'm enjoying that, but I don't think about it as every day I walk out there and go 'we got you Josh and we turfed Juddy, so brilliant'," Worsfold said ahead of Sunday's clash with Carlton at Etihad Stadium.

"I don't really think about it. It gets brought up occasionally.

"But the same with Tyson Stenglein, when we traded Tyson in it was a pretty good result for everyone concerned.

"(Brent) Moloney (went) to Melbourne and (Scott) Thompson to Adelaide.

"I think everyone's pretty happy. Tyson was a little bit older and he's finished and those others are still going. But we were rapt how that worked out for us (with Stenglein playing a key role in the premiership)."

Judd has surged to outright favourite to win his third Brownlow Medal this year, and Worsfold said the 27-year-old's current form was as good as that displayed during his glory days at West Coast.

"He's adapted to the way the game's played, but he still brings the exact same strengths as when he was here," Worsfold said.

The Eagles appear set to enter their crunch battle against Carlton with the same side that disposed of Port Adelaide last week.

Worsfold said defender Mitch Brown would return via WAFL ranks this weekend after recovering from a thumb injury.

And vice-captain Beau Waters, who has re-signed with the club until the end of 2013, is on track to return from a serious elbow injury next week.

"We're rapt (to re-sign him)," Worsfold said of Waters.

"Beau's a top-line player and brings a heap to our team, so really rapt to have him on board.

"He's probably a week away (from playing again).

"The plan is he'll up his intensity and workload in terms of match simulation type of play this week and next week and be ready to play next week."

With the Eagles flying high in fifth spot on the table, Waters said it was an easy decision to re-sign.

"I can't imagine myself playing anywhere else," Waters said.

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