Leigh Mathews on The Good Oil (SEN) | PUNT ROAD END | Richmond Tigers Forum
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Leigh Mathews on The Good Oil (SEN)

uhuh uhuh

Ruthless and Relentless
Mar 24, 2006
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Melbourne
Compere mentions former West Coast Eagles captain Chris Judd is in Melbourne interviewing clubs as opposed to clubs interviewing him. Leigh Matthews finds that aspect a little bit distasteful saying if free agency ever comes into football then this will happen all the time. Matthews recalls the day when negotiations between a player and a club were to try and get the maximum amount you can for your services. Matthews refers to the book about him called The Icons of Australian Sport.
 
Leigh Matthews is one of the greatest figures in the history of Australian football. So it is with great respect when I say that what I heard from him on the radio today was just about the greatest load of *smile* I've ever heard anywhere.

I mean, what the *smile* is Judd supposed to do?? He's made a decision that he wants to live in Melbourne. He's got every club based in Melbourne wanting him to play for them. They're all chasing him. Does he need to beg them to let him play for them?? Why wouldn't he talk to as many of them as possible to see what's the best fit. I'm sure he has a good idea of a shortlist of clubs but he needs to meet with key personnel before he can finalise his decision.

Absolute *smile* Matthews. Maybe sour grapes that you're no hope of getting him? Staggering comments.
 
lol an icon ha leigh broke my brother in laws jaw in a game when the ball was up the other end
 
Tigers of Old said:
Ridley said:
Absolute *smile* Matthews. Maybe sour grapes that you're no hope of getting him? Staggering comments.

What did he say Riddler?

To paraphrase Oldie, he finds it distasteful the way Judd and his management are effectively "interviewing" prospective clubs. Reckons the clubs should be interviewing him.

I'm not sure how Judd can do it any differently the way the system is. He could say outright he wants to go to, say, Collingwood but he needs the Eagles and the Scum to do a deal to make it happen. he could end up anywhere a la Nick Stevens so it makes sense to talk to other clubs. His first priority is to play for a Melbourne club. Obviously he'd want to play at a club who's a chance of premiership success but living in Melbourne regardless is his priority. And the other thing is he seems to want the Eagles to get something decent out of it as well (unfortunate for us). So he needs to leave the options a bit open.
 
I would tend to agree with the take here on Matthews.

However, in a way I do think he has a point somewhere in all of this. This circus is all about the individual in a supposedly team game.

What is really interesting is the way the player and their manager are dictating things. Who said the players in the AFL don't have free agency? Quite clearly if you are good enough, the system allows you to do what you like.
 
Streak said:
What is really interesting is the way the player and their manager are dictating things. Who said the players in the AFL don't have free agency? Quite clearly if you are good enough, the system allows you to do what you like.
Strange that the AFL have been silent on the word that Judd is picking and choosing who he will interview as his next club.
Wouldn't this constitute draft / trade tampering when he is refusing to allow all clubs access to him.

Would not surprise me if Dimi and the boys are running scared over this trade.

Judd is the biggest name in the game at the moment and with the AFL players association already pushing to get some sort of free agency for the players, Judd is the perfect opportunity and he'd be determined enough to challenge the AFL over restriction of trade.
The draft and trade survive only by the players reluctance to rock the boat, should Juddy not get to where he wants then I reckon the *smile* will hit big time.
Ritchie Vandenberg was interviewed the other day and hinted that this deal was being watched with interest.
 
TigerMasochist said:
Strange that the AFL have been silent on the word that Judd is picking and choosing who he will interview as his next club.
Wouldn't this constitute draft / trade tampering when he is refusing to allow all clubs access to him.

Its not draft tampering because he's not going into the draft.