I'll go against the emotional trend so far on this thread - and trying to put a bit of my zen buddhism perspective forward, whilst being disappointed.

Some people feel like Judd has betrayed them personally, or even betrayed the club and taken that personally. To me, whats really happening here is that he is a young bloke making a decision about his life, his future, and where he feels he belongs. That doesn’t make the connection he built with the group or with the fans any less real at the time. It just means life moved, and he’s following that shift.

Judd gave us his effort and his growth in red and blue — that can be honoured without clinging to him now. For me, this isn’t about loyalty or disloyalty. Thank him for the chapter and trust that both he and Melbourne will find their way forward.

☮️

Just now, Engorged Onion said:

I'll go against the emotional trend so far on this thread - and trying to put a bit of my zen buddhism perspective forward, whilst being disappointed.

Some people feel like Judd has betrayed them personally, or even betrayed the club and taken that personally. To me, whats really happening here is that he is a young bloke making a decision about his life, his future, and where he feels he belongs. That doesn’t make the connection he built with the group or with the fans any less real at the time. It just means life moved, and he’s following that shift.

Judd gave us his effort and his growth in red and blue — that can be honoured without clinging to him now. For me, this isn’t about loyalty or disloyalty. Thank him for the chapter and trust that both he and Melbourne will find their way forward.

☮️

Cool story but I've got a voodoo doll of him of which I'm sticking pins in his eyes

Edited 15 hours ago15 hr by adonski

Just now, adonski said:

Cool story but I've got a voodoo of him of which I'm sticking pins in his eyes

We officially have another player to boo… muahahaha

7 minutes ago, At the break of Gawn said:

My point is that he's not some superstar talent we're letting go through the door with you calling it a "terrible result for the footy club". I actually think AMW would've overtaken him next year anyway.

Someone bookmark this when AMW is delisted and Judd’s playing in a prelim next year.

Clearly it’s not the same as losing a star but it’s closer to that than nothing.

In terms of players we couldn’t afford to lose:

Pickett, Langford, Turner, Bowser, Lindsay, Windsor are the only ones I’d have ahead.

19 minutes ago, BLWNBA said:

The collective naivety on this site is super cute. ☺️

I have no issue with the messaging from the Judd camp, and other area’s, being that re would re-sign on two years.

But the faux moral outrage that he ‘lied’ to a supporter is bizarre.

Excuse me. I believe lying is bad. I presume you do too? So why is it fauz moral outrage to be [censored] off about someone lying?

Is it that you believe players don't have to tell the truth about their intentions? You are not alone there, I agree.

But a player doesn't have to lie directly. Rather than the direct lie of "I've signed".he can just say something like "we'll see, too early" etc.

To be pedantic, even if that too is a lie (eg. if he has definitely already decided to go) at least it is not devastating to the person being lied to. A white lie is generally considered a civilised mechanism to not hurt people's feelings. Social intercourse would be pretty barbaric without them.

Lucky we have you to condescend to us and cure our 'cute' naivety.

Shangri-La for the Eeyores hey?

32 minutes ago, GS_1905 said:

all good @Ghostwriter you could not have known. If he was going he was never going to admit it - even to you. I know I wouldn’t. I mean what’s to gain.

The bloke is the type of player you don’t want around the club… he’ll always have one eye out the door. better now than in 3-4 years time. We should push hard for pick 11 but unlikely unless we return our 2nd rounder or F2 l. we should otherwise be asking for their 2nd and F2 as Juddy isn’t a first rounder.

I’m disappointed but I’m not angry. I’m disappointed ONLY BECAUSE he lied when he said he HAD ALREADY signed when clearly he never had.

I don’t believe he was lying when on several occasions he volunteered the confirmation of the fact he was going nowhere.

I truly believe he was committed to staying up until very recently. After his meeting with Steven King, he (King) said Judd “gave every indication he’s staying.”

Something has happened in the very recent past.

Incidentally, Judd and Lily have broken up… allegedly.

43 minutes ago, Trident22 said:

May and Lever the last players to fit that category..both had given several more years to their respective clubs. Would love to hear other examples

Langdon, ironically from Freo

He wants to go…this is the beginning of the trade for Jackson to come back.

A really good natural footballer with unexpected evasive skills, great deliverer by foot, and shows a fair degree of courage. I am disappointed to see him go, but definitely not devastated. I am hoping that AMW can do a full pre-season and step straight into that HB spot.

I can't see Freo giving up pick 11, but maybe a three way player and pick swap involving the Dees, Freo and WA could work for all 3 clubs, and we can get a pick inside the top 20.

My take might be a bit different to others.

First I feel sorry for Ghosty, who is as loyal and fanatical a Dees' fan as there is.

She said what she what she was told by Judd and hopefully this is the last time her name is mentioned on this thread.

She posted to make us all feel better and I thank her for that and look forward to many more posts from her on other topics in the future.

Now, I think Judd did sign his contract some time ago, but the Manager didn't co sign it, or hand it to the MFC, but kept it to see what was around.

If I am correct, he is doing many deals with WA clubs and lives there.

I think he shopped Judd around to Freo and got a very good deal and has now told Judd of the deal and Judd has decided to accept it and go home.

That is not a hanging offence for a player wanting to change clubs and go home at the same time.

We know the risks with interstate players.

I would't be surprised if the Freo womens' team has made Lily an Offer to join them as well.

This is very disappointing and especially as it is Freo who took LJ off us.

Personally I agree with some posters who have said it is pick 11 only, or imo a lesser pick, plus a player we like, or walk him to the PSD to the Eagles for nothing.

Is he worth pick 11, no, but it is our right to name our price.

Hey Freo you want it done smoothly, then this is what it will take.

This is a statement moment for a new President, CEO and Coach to stand up and be counted.

This request is annoying a lot of us, but it is what is and we have to act like a big club and not get steamrolled.

He is not our best player and we will go on, but we need to ensure we get what we want, or he doesn't get to Freo, end of story.

Edited 14 hours ago14 hr by Redleg

4 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

I’m disappointed but I’m not angry. I’m disappointed ONLY BECAUSE he lied when he said he HAD ALREADY signed when clearly he never had.

I don’t believe he was lying when on several occasions he volunteered the confirmation of the fact he was going nowhere.

I truly believe he was committed to staying up until very recently. After his meeting with Steven King, he (King) said Judd “gave every indication he’s staying.”

Something has happened in the very recent past.

Incidentally, Judd and Lily have broken up… allegedly.

Maybe he was staying until they broke up and he wants to leave it all behind.

Or maybe he's going and as a result cannot stay with a Melbourne based person.

Cause=/=Effect

Anyway. Life will go on, would love to get back into the first round as a result.

Or have a crack at Amiss

Edited 14 hours ago14 hr by Madz

Mc****off

11 minutes ago, gawnbeatsnerds said:

to be fair you did say people can hold you to it

… and I meant it. It’s just that I don’t have time to waste on the I told you so sort of posts.

1 hour ago, Jaded No More said:

But I bet you love coming here and reading the info.

If you don’t, block the posters or go away.

Having a go at supporters who pass along info they get in good faith is what’s pathetic. The posters who suggested Judd will stay all have very solid track record with info and have put their necks out several times against the tide. Famously on Kosi staying put!

It’s part of what makes Demonland so good, even if the info occasionally doesn’t stack up.

If journalists can flat out lie to us, you have a problem with a few posters occasionally getting some solid info wrong?

Edit: not surprised one bit by the poster who liked your post. The worst of the lot when it comes to contributing nothing but their deluded ego to this site, and who continuously shows his misogynistic ways with the posters he looks down on and dismisses.

I enjoy reading others opinions of the game, but not deluded supporters who think they have the right to ask young professional people very personal questions about their livelyhood and then get on here and tell everyone as if its gospel because they have a special relationship.

Solid track record , laughable in a 50/50 situation.

Just now, Ghostwriter said:

… and I meant it. It’s just that I don’t have time to waste on the I told you so sort of posts.

Just want to say that your contribution on demonland is incredibly highly valued, don’t listen to anyone saying otherwise or having a crack at you over this. I suspect some posters think there should only be one gender allowed to speak.

How many players have Freo taken off us? These slimey [censored] get in our players ears and we seem to lose a lot to them.

Funnily enough it's only ever the one's we'd prefer to keep.

[censored] Freo and [censored] drafting from WA. It's not wroth the risk.

32 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Ahhh yes, I was totally benchmarking him against Will Ashcroft, that’s totally what I was doing.

*Sarcasm

8 minutes ago, Redleg said:

My take might be a bit different to others.

First I feel sorry for Ghosty, who is as loyal and fanatical a Dees' fan as there is.

She said what she what she was told by Judd and hopefully this is the last time her name is mentioned on this thread.

She posted to make us all feel better and I thank her for that and look forward to many more posts from her on other topics in the future.

Now, I think Judd did sign his contract some time ago, but the Manager didn't co sign it, or hand it to the MFC, but kept it to see what was around.

If I am correct, he is doing many deals with WA clubs and lives there.

I think he shopped Judd around to Freo and got a very good deal and has now told Judd of the deal and Judd has decided to accept it and go home.

That is not a hanging offence for a player wanting to change clubs and go home at the same time.

We know the risks with interstate players.

I would't be surprised if the Freo womens' team has made Lily an Offer to join them as well.

This is very disappointing and especially as it is Freo who took LJ off us.

Personally I agree with some posters who have said it is pick 11 only, or imo a lesser pick, plus a player we like, or walk him to the PSD to the Eagles for nothing.

This is a statement moment for a new President, CEO and Coach to stand up and be counted.

This request is hurting a lot of us, but it is what is and we have to act like a big club and not get steamrolled.

He is not our best player and we will go on, but we need to ensure we get what we want, or he doesn't get to Freo, end of story.

I hate agents! 😅😤

I’m sick of all these players wanting to go home. It’s unfair and the AFL need to do something about it.

Let me think. They should create an academy system where you can develop local talent and if they are good, you get to have priority access to them.

Sorry, has that already been done?

Sorry who’s that for? Lions, Suns, Giants, Swans. Are they struggling clubs?

Oh, Lions … the back to back premiers!! Swans. Runners up in 2024. Giants, Suns, Lions. Three of them were in 2025 finals. Wow that system sounds like a big winner. 🤣🤣🤣😭😭😭

4 minutes ago, Redleg said:

My take might be a bit different to others.

First I feel sorry for Ghosty, who is as loyal and fanatical a Dees' fan as there is.

She said what she what she was told by Judd and hopefully this is the last time her name is mentioned on this thread.

She posted to make us all feel better and I thank her for that and look forward to many more posts from her on other topics in the future.

Now, I think Judd did sign his contract some time ago, but the Manager didn't co sign it, or hand it to the MFC, but kept it to see what was around.

If I am correct, he is doing many deals with WA clubs and lives there.

I think he shopped Judd around to Freo and got a very good deal and has now told Judd of the deal and Judd has decided to accept it and go home.

That is not a hanging offence for a player wanting to change clubs and go home at the same time.

We know the risks with interstate players.

I would nearly guarantee the Freo womens' team has made Lily an Offer to join them as well.

This is very disappointing and especially as it is Freo who took LJ off us.

Personally I agree with some posters who have said it is pick 11 only, or imo a lesser pick, plus a player we like, or walk him to the PSD to the Eagles for nothing.

This is a statement moment for a new President, CEO and Coach to stand up and be counted.

This request is hurting a lot of us, but it is what is and we have to act like a big club and not get steamrolled.

He is not our best player and we will go on, but we need to ensure we get what we want, or he doesn't get to Freo, end of story.

Please don’t feel sorry for me.

Like I’ve already said, I’m only disappointed that he said he had already signed, and obviously he hadn’t. That’s the only time he lied.

I’m also disappointed to be losing him to another club.

Life moves on. Get what we can for him and give King a chance to shape our future.

This will be a very important draft/trading period for Taylor and Lamb. If ever we need them to nail the deals, it is now

Would've preferred to retain McVee, but not if his heart is elsewhere

6 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Salem’s best and fairest result was a joke. I’m pretty certain we inflated both Christian’s to try to offload both. Yes, he’s a veteran quality half back who knows the role but he was beaten by anyone quick and/or dangerous. Not to mention his disposal that even helicopter parents thought was too safe.

Judd was the Salem replacement, now we have to start again probably with a middling pick in a [censored] draft.

Judd had work to do in his half back play. But he needed the opportunity to do that work. He has tools Rivers seemingly will never have which is poise and control with his short kicking.

Come on, take ya tin foil hat off. He was also one of only 7 Dees that polled votes, guess the ump were in on it as well.

He our best score involvement defender after rivers for the year, second most rebound 50s, he went at 81.41% disposal efficacy, Most contested marks besides the key Def, 21st in the AFL for goal assists per game and 16th in the AFL for effective disposals. He had a great year and is a whipping boy on here.

He was rarely beaten and I think you just highlight the times he is, rather than the good moments which outweighed them. I guess we will never know the "what if with Judd" and I think he was a good player but hoping with this pick we can make it better.

If we get 29, we will have 23, 29 and sounds like 37(Spargo). Rich are open to splitting 2&3 and GC have 6, 13 &16 with academy kids. If King thinks we can get back to finals and has everyone believing this I can see us trying to get 3 off rich with a future first plus two of the second-round picks. Which I am all for!

1 hour ago, lorn said:

No one complains when we take players other clubs have developed

Name four