‘But It’s Chris Judd’ Is Not A Tribunal Defence - Heffernan’s Spray

Exhausting all avenues seems to be the flavour of the month in the AFL. Just after the Hawks went to all lengths to get their superstar Buddy Franklin cleared - to no avail - now we have the Blues turning to appeal Chris Judd’s 3 weeks suspension.

Before I go forward, if you haven’t seen the footage, check it out below…

 
So Judd was initially given 3 weeks - 2 with the early plea. Many thought they would take the 2 and move on, but Carlton tried their luck at the tribunal and were rewarded with a 3 week penalty when Judd was found guilty of making unnecessary and unreasonable contact to the face of Brisbane’s Michael Rischitelli.

Seems pretty reasonable looking at the footage. Now Carlton are going to appeal, arguing:

the decision was so unreasonable that no tribunal acting reasonably could have come to that decision having regard to the evidence before it

Whatever that means. They’ve also thrown in some more buzz phrases regarding the 3 weeks, labelling it ‘manifestly excessive’, as well as arguing the contact should not have even been deemed ‘low impact’.

Let’s cut to the chase. Not taking the 2 weeks was ridiculous. Appealing is even more ridiculous.

Carlton’s arguments are like throwing shit against a wall. “Manifestly excessive.” “Lower than low impact.” “May not have been charged if it weren’t for public hysteria.” “Would he be here if he didn’t make his pressure point comments?” They even made an unsuccessful attempt to have the penalty downgraded under a clause covering ”exceptional and compelling circumstances”.

Did they really expect any of it to stick? They may as well have argued, “Well, he should get off because … he’s Chris Judd.”

Judd did himself no favours either with his infamous ‘pressure point’ comments when interviewed at the airport. Hardly the right thing to say just before a tribunal hearing. Passing it off as a ‘poorly timed joke’ wasn’t ever going to wash.

But the biggest thing for me - did Carlton really expect Judd to get off after the Campbell Brown incident? If you don’t remember, back in 2007 Judd was up on eye gouging charges, but got off after Brown supported Judd’s innocence with his comments at the tribunal. Months later, Brown admitted he lied to help Judd get off, and was slapped with a $15k fine.

It would appear painstakingly obvious to anyone that the Tribunal are going to have that incident in mind when going through Judd’s latest case. This time, they were set to take things at face value.

This time, they were going to rub Judd out like they should have last time.

Everyone but Carlton could see it, and for their ignorance they’ll be missing Juddy in Round 3 2010.

Leave us a comment with your thoughts on the Chris Judd situation below!