Is the Judd Vs Hodge thing settled now?

[bulldogtragic]

Judd: 1 Premiership, 2 brownlows, former captain
Hodge: 3 Premierships, 2 Norm Smiths (both winning GF's), current and ongoing captain, Numerous Players Assoc awards fo most courageous and best captain

Enough in history yet to say Hodge was rightfully picked ahead? The debate is over for mine now and if both guys play on, I think the gap will only get bigger.

[chef]

Re: Is the Judd Vs Hodge thing settled now?

If Judd didn't screw his groin they'd be no debate IMO, but injury certainly closed the gap.

[jeemak]

Re: Is the Judd Vs Hodge thing settled now?

Judd for mine without too many questions.

He spent his entire career running through the middle with two guys hanging off him, dominating irrespective of the serious issues he had with his groin.

Hodge during the original Clarko's cluster years used to get lauded for doing the absolute minimum a sweeper should do, I've not seen anything like it since Paul Roos used to get massive kudos for racking up touches playing loose in defence for the Sydney Swans.

However, none of that is Hodge's fault. As the Hawk's game has changed he's had to be more accountable and he has turned into an amazing midfielder that can damage from behind the ball and use it brilliantly in the forward half. He's tough, plays tall and kicks goals which is what you want for a midfielder. Having said that, he's benefited from not having to be the guy lifting the team week in week out as he's been surrounded by brilliance, which is something that can't be said about Judd these past seven years.

Unfortunately we'll never know how Judd may have been in a team as good as Hawthorn has been in all but one year since 2008. During this time Carlton have been terrible, but time and again Judd has been the shining light in all of that, and very unlucky with his body.

Hodge has performed well in big games, though in order to do that you need to be in a team capable of reaching them so it's a little unfair to count that in the comparison, even though people will always point to it.

What it comes down to for me is Judd was always the main guy to stop and had entire midfields trying to do that on a weekly basis. He still thrived in such a hostile environment. That can't be said for Hodge, though it's hard to count that against him as he doesn't decide where he plays.

[Twodogs]

Re: Is the Judd Vs Hodge thing settled now?

If we still had a Victorian team then we could have seen them both in the same midfield.

Hodge for me.

His leadership is what wins me over. He knows perfectly where he and his teammates best fit to win games and he's willing to do anything to get it done. I'm not saying that Judd can't pick a team up and drag it over the line but Luke Hodge has been Captain and Spiritual Leader of Premiership teams..

Don't forget that he's had his injury woes too.

[jeemak]

Re: Is the Judd Vs Hodge thing settled now?

I forgot to add Hodge being excellent by foot at a level not many players reach, which is a very good reason to rate him very highly.

[Topdog]

Re: Is the Judd Vs Hodge thing settled now?

Personally dont think the debate has been valid for 6 years now. Both excellent players and no mistake could be made

[jeemak]

Re: Is the Judd Vs Hodge thing settled now?

Personally dont think the debate has been valid for 6 years now. Both excellent players and no mistake could be made

Good point. It's like arguing over something immaterial, where personal prejudices and preferences take over objective issues.

[KT31]

Re: Is the Judd Vs Hodge thing settled now?

Hodge for me, truly loyal and has led from the front.
And one for the pundits who is Hodges Misses ?
Who cares because footy is his main agenda.

[jeemak]

Re: Is the Judd Vs Hodge thing settled now?

Hodge for me, truly loyal and has led from the front.
And one for the pundits who is Hodges Misses ?
Who cares because footy is his main agenda.

I think if you peeled back the layers on Hawthorn and Hodge you'd probably find some pretty serious Harold's (Physical Milk commercial references) in the closet.

Having a hot wife who sometimes comes into the limelight shouldn't come into it.

[The Doctor]

Re: Is the Judd Vs Hodge thing settled now?

Hodge for me.

[Greystache]

Re: Is the Judd Vs Hodge thing settled now?

No debate for me. Hodge made his name dropping in the hole across half back and setting up play but never able to be a dominant player through the midfield while being tagged. Judd easily.

Hodge being forced to be the number 1 mid in a poor team gets viewed as a player who never managed to reach their potential.

[Topdog]

Re: Is the Judd Vs Hodge thing settled now?

For me Judd is a once in a generation player (not including Gary Ablett ) whilst Hodge is an inspirational leader who is a great organiser of his defence and reads the play superbly.

[Remi Moses]

Re: Is the Judd Vs Hodge thing settled now?

Judd for me
The explosiveness, and not discounting Hodge for a moment .
Hodge is a better leader IMHO.
Remember the pitch forks and torches at Glenferrie when they traded Croad for the pick?

[lemmon]

Re: Is the Judd Vs Hodge thing settled now?

Hodge is undoubtedly a gun but Judd is the best midfielder I've seen and that's including Gary Ablett. No player has transitioned so flawlessly from being the best outside runner in the game as he was at West Coast into a Brownlow medal winning inside midfielder at Carlton. You have to love Hodgey and the way he goes about it but in terms of them as individual players I'd have Judd every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

[The Doctor]

Re: Is the Judd Vs Hodge thing settled now?

Hodge is a better leader IMHO.

That's what tipped it over the line for me. He brings others into the game and makes the team better because of it.