Shower chat helps break the tension
New Carlton skipper Chris Judd told 3AW's Gerard Healy and Dwayne Russell that he had a good chat with Nick Stevens - who missed out on the captaincy - as he was 'soaping his back in the shower', and all is well with the decision between the leadership pair.
He also said that he does not agree with the proposed expansion of the league to an 18-team competition and revealed a very personal insight into what it's like being arguably the best player in the AFL.
Chris Judd's fascinating Sports Today interview
Judd named as skipper: February 19 (1:30pm):
Chris Judd and Carlton's media conference, uncut
I had to accept it: Judd (3AW Fairfax Radio news report)
3AW Football Central - Breaking news and analysis
Chris Judd has been named captain of Carlton at a media conference on Tuesday, ending months of speculation about who would lead the Blues.
Fellow midfielder Nick Stevens - who made his return from a serious injury in Carlton's round one NAB Cup win over Port Adelaide - will be Judd's deputy.
Judd skippered previous club West Coast to the 2006 premiership and has been appointed Blues captain without having played a game for his new side.
But senior players had indicated their support for the Brownlow Medallist to take on the role, and coach Brett Ratten said the club's match committee had plumped for Judd in what he called a 'very difficult' decision over Stevens.
"It's been a tough one for the match committee and it was pretty close," Ratten said. "You reflect on what Chris has done as a captain already and it puts him just in front of Nick."
Judd is recovering from off-season groin surgery but the club say they are confident he will be ready to play in round one against Richmond next month.
With AAP