Jude

[Blood]

The story has been told before. I think it was the Melbourne game in Canberra in 08. Just before half time he kicked the ball very waywardly to Kennelly who was by himself on the wing in fron of Big Al and I. As the ball went out of bounds the siren sounded for half time. I let fly with a comment along the lines of "Get used to Canberra you blond prima donna, because that's where you will be playing all of your football", just as everyone went quiet. He was about 50 metres away from me, but would have heard it plain as day. A number of Swans fans burst out in laughter and Al nearly fell of his seat laughing. (In fact I think AnnieH heard it from the other side of the ground!.

He has proved me wrong since then, which I am glad about. He has now returned to the form I expected of him then.

Definitely a masterstroke.

Don't suppose you could do something similar with Teddy Richards?

[hot potato]

His consistency of effort for the contested footy is exceptional. I didn't enjoy watching him kick for goal , but he's worked on that and he thoroughly deserves all these bouquets.

HP

[Matty10]

Jude is great - and I am glad that he stayed.

It is great to see young players come up through the draft and stay at the club. I was always fearful that he would entertain an offer from a Victorian club once he had established himself as a class player with the swans and leave. Thankfully that never happened.

It is funny - I had been looking at the club record set by John Rantall for years, scanning our list each year to see who might possibly beat it if they played long enough. Not having a 300 game player had always irritated me. Now it seems that both Jude and Goodes will pass JRs record with ease. Hopefully they both give Mickey O's new record a nudge as well.

[TheHood]

When I think about the other 15 clubs currently in the AFL, there are none that I would rather support. Not Geelong, not St Kilda, not the lucrative Collingwood. I am a proud supporter of Sydney's players, their on field support and overall staff as these people are all leaders for an incredible culture that is the envy of the sporting world.

To me Jude is an absolute champion representative of those values. His respect of the Bloods culture, his appreciation of the club and its supporters and his understated rock solid values are completely representative of all the things I love about the Swans.

[hammo]

Think he overtook (or levelled) PK in round 1 this year. He will catch the great Bobby S very shortly.

He did.

If Jude plays every game this year he will actually move into 4th on the all time list. That puts some perspective on his place in the club's history.


Club Records - Official AFL Website of the Sydney Swans

[liz]

Interested to hear on the TV broadcast that he's about to overtake Paul Kelly on the 'most Swans games played' list. No-one's suggesting that he's a Paul Kelly, least of all Delta's mate himself, but it's still pretty darn esteemed company to be in.

Think he overtook (or levelled) PK in round 1 this year. He will catch the great Bobby S very shortly.

[Jesse Richards]

I'm a huge Jude fan. Voted him in the TLM v Richmond.

[SimonH]

BBBH said last year something to the effect of, 'absolutely no-one gets themselves up for every training session, and every game, with the same level of motivation... unless you're Brett Kirk'. I feel like JBolt was just about worthy of a mention in the same breath. The way he threw himself maniacally into a contested ball situation half-way through the last quarter in our forward pocket, when at least 30 out of the 36 people on the field were probably thinking about the final siren, not getting any injuries awaiting it, and the range of alcohol-related activities they'd get up to on a Saturday night in Sydney... the guy just does not have an 'off' switch when it comes to a contest. After he retires, he's certainly got a lucrative career in front of him consulting to clubs in how to avoid injuries to contested ball players, because it is an absolute freakin' miracle that he hasn't spent half of his career on the sidelines.

Interested to hear on the TV broadcast that he's about to overtake Paul Kelly on the 'most Swans games played' list. No-one's suggesting that he's a Paul Kelly, least of all Delta's mate himself, but it's still pretty darn esteemed company to be in.

[ernie koala]

I love having Jude in the team...Never fails to put his head over the ball , gets plenty of clearances, a real team player, tough and relentless. Hopefully he's got another couple of good years in him, while the next lot come through watching his example. Lenny Hayes comparison....who cares...He has been an excellent draft pick.

[Plugger1300]

He is definately one of my whipping boys. I can't fault his application but his disposal can be very ordinary. I certainly wouldn't have him out of the side especially in current form. I still love to watch his huge last quarter in the Grand Final.
Plus he is a St.Bernards boy as well and we can sure produce a handy footballer.

[DST]

I am biased, but when you stack up Bolton's career with Lenny Hayes I honestly don't think there is much between the two.

Don't get me wrong, Lenny Hayes is a great player but I don't really get all the fuss when I watch him play and for me Jude is just as hard at the ball and desperate as Hayes is.

Should and will go down as one of our greatest when he finishes.

DST

[Industrial Fan]

Was actually meaning to start a similar thread a the week before. I think the contest late in the Adelaide game said alot abou him. I was one to howl with derision early in his career but he definitely seems to be coming home along the straight.

Dont think we could have got much more from him.

Gee I hope we can give another flag a shake with Kirk, Jude, Goodes and ROK near the end of their careers.

[cruiser]

I think that Jude is playing some of the best footy of his career. The threat to trade him worked a treat.

[Primmy]

One day Jude won't be there. And the midfield will be all wrong. I love the bloke, admire him to bits, and just love that blue eyed gaze he gives you when you have his attention.....and the gloriously filthy looks he can shoot at an umpire sometimes.

[Big Al]

The story has been told before. I think it was the Melbourne game in Canberra in 08. Just before half time he kicked the ball very waywardly to Kennelly who was by himself on the wing in fron of Big Al and I. As the ball went out of bounds the siren sounded for half time. I let fly with a comment along the lines of "Get used to Canberra you blond prima donna, because that's where you will be playing all of your football", just as everyone went quiet. He was about 50 metres away from me, but would have heard it plain as day. A number of Swans fans burst out in laughter and Al nearly fell of his seat laughing. (In fact I think AnnieH heard it from the other side of the ground!.

He has proved me wrong since then, which I am glad about. He has now returned to the form I expected of him then.

I can confirm that this is completely accurate. The way the crowd hushed at the very moment that GS let fly is one of the funniest things I've ever experienced at a game of footy. I still giggle years later when I think of it.