All the deals

IN THE sliding doors game of AFL recruiting, the 2007 Chris Judd/Josh Kennedy trade might yet be remembered as the best win-win deal of all.

''I reckon it is,'' said Carlton chief executive Greg Swann yesterday. West Coast's Trevor Nisbett was more guarded. ''It's never a great deal when you lose someone like Chris,'' he said, ''but as it's turning out, I think both clubs are pleased with the return they're getting. They're both good players - and good people.''

Notionally, this is apples and oranges. Judd is the best, but of a common type of player, the prolific midfielder. He has won two Brownlow medals, and all three Carlton best-and-fairests since he arrived at the club, and in 2011 is leading the Blues towards the top four.

He is a natural leader, who was immediately made captain of Carlton to fill a looming moral void. He is a known quantity. He is 27. His time is now, and so is Carlton's.

Kennedy has no significant decorations, but is the type of player clubs prize for their rarity, especially in finals, a strong-marking, straight-kicking forward. Last year, he led the club for contested marks. As a big man, he is still maturing, his upper limits still not fully explored. His 10 goals in the Eagles' thumping of the Bulldogs on Sunday show what might be.

He also is a leader, drafted into the club's leadership in only his second season there. He is 23. His time is coming, and so is West Coast's. Fast.

For the Eagles, it could have been worse. Judd had resolved to return to Melbourne, and if no deal was done might have been lost in the pre-season draft, to Richmond, for nothing. But he was determined that the Eagles would have reparation.

Carlton, committed to Matthew Kreuzer with pick No. 1, had picks No. 3 and - reluctantly - No. 20 on the table. Richmond, entering late, had No. 2 and No. 18. Reportedly, West Coast would have preferred to deal with Richmond. Nisbett said the Eagles would have bartered with whoever would do a deal.

Kennedy clinched it, but only after much heartache. He didn't want to go. Judd, knowing Carlton would need all hands on deck, didn't want him to go. Carlton legend Stephen Kernahan, now president, had warmed to Kennedy as a bloke and identified with him as a footballer, and especially didn't want him to go.

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