AFL TRADE WEEK UPDATE - JUDD FINALLY OFF TO CARLTON
Ben Jensen 11 October 2007

By Ben Jensen AFL TRADE WEEK UPDATE 2004 BROWNLOW MEDALLIST CHRIS JUDD has finally been officially traded to the Blues, the second official trade to go through, one of just five thus far. The trade of the century was announced just after 12noon today, finally ending rumours the deal was either a certainty or a certainty to fail.

Carlton CEO Greg Swann, himself poached from Collingwood by Carlton president Richard Prattt earlier in the season, was delighted with his catch. "Chris Judd is the premier player in the competition and will be a major boost to Carlton as the Club embarks on what is a new and exciting era. We look forward to officially welcoming Chris to the Carlton Football Club later this afternoon."

CONFIRMED TRADES

As eluded earlier, only five trades have been completed; the latter two completed early this evening.

1. Adelaide exchanges Martin Mattner to Sydney for its round two selection (currently number 28).

2. West Coast exchanges Chris Judd and its round three selection (currently number 46) to Carlton for Josh Kennedy, its round one selection (currently number three) and its round two selection
(currently number 20).

3. Adelaide exchanges ruckman John Meesen to Melbourne for its round three selecton (currently number 37).

4. Brisbane Lions exchanges ruckman Cameron Wood to Collingwood for its first round selection (currently number 14).

5. Melbourne exchanges Travis Johnstone to Brisbane Lions in return for a first round selection (pick number 14). (Pick number 14 was earlier secured by the Lions from Collingwood in exchange for ruckman Cameron Wood).

UNCONFIRMED TRADES (BUT ANNOUNCED BY CLUBS)

1. Tim Callan (Geelong) to be traded to the Western Bulldogs; details not yet finalised.

LINK: 9 OCTOBER 2007 GEELONG VFL BEST AND FAIREST TIM CALLAN TRADED TO WESTERN BULLDOGS

JOHNSTONE JOINS LIONS

The Lions were 'thrilled' to acquire 160 gamer Johnstone, who has kicked 111 goals in ten years with the Demons. Johnstone played 15 matches for the Demons this season, averaging just under 20 disposals.

Johnstone was selected with pick No.1 in the 1997 National Draft and has since made a name for himself for his pristine disposal but was prone to go missing for weeks at a time. He was a Norwich Rising Star nominee in 1998, Melbourne's best and fairest winner in 2005, finished equal fourth in the Brownlow Medal in 2002 and was part of the Demons' 2000 losing Grand Final side.

Johnstone brings with him a connection to the club. His grandfather Norm played 228 senior matches for the Lions between 1944 and 1957 and he was named ruck-rover of the Fitzroy Team of Our Century.

PIES BLOW PICK 14 FOR WOOD

Collingwood, who expended pick 14 to trade for unheralded Brisbane ruckman Cameron Wood, believe they'll prove the doubters wrong (like they did with Chris Bryan, Guy Richards). "Our thoughts were that Cameron is a 204cm ruckman, and that's an area that we needed to support," said Collingwood recruiting manager Derek Hine.

Hine rightfully pointed out ruckmen take time to deliver and believe they'll gain a three year head start on the likes of St Kilda and Carlton . "He'll be playing as a 21-year-old next year, he's had three years in the system, so the scope for his development, we think, is large. We're able to bring him in with our first round selection, and hopefully, he'll have a long career with us."

Poor old Hine was again left to explain the merits of trading their first pick. "Us trading our pick 14 is not a decision we took lightly. We think Cameron has got enormous scope for improvement, he's probably been a victim of circumstance at Brisbane, which allows us the opportunity to bring him in and we think he's going to play a significant role for us in an area we're deficient in. When we go to the draft or the trade table, we look for opportunities, and we see Cameron as an opportunity to really develop our list."