JOSH Kennedy will today agree to move to West Coast, finalising the greatest recruiting coup in a decade – Chris Judd’s trade to Carlton.
Judd will sign a five-year, $6 million contract with the Blues which will complete the biggest player transfer since Tony Lockett left St Kilda for Sydney in 1994.
Judd’s move will formally be announced at a media conference today, where it also might be revealed which number he will wear in 2008.
The favourite is Kennedy’s old number, No. 5, followed by either No. 10 or No. 12, vacated by the retirement of Matthew Lappin. No. 1 draft pick Marc Murphy wears Judd’s old number, No. 3.
The much-hyped deal for Judd, on the fourth day of trade week, will be for selections No.3 and No.20 and West Australian Kennedy.
Kennedy yesterday met Eagles coach John Worsfold, chief executive Trevor Nisbett and key staff and had a standard medical assessment.
Kennedy, who is contracted for two years, was "sleeping on" his decision last night.
His answer will be yes, for if he rejects the move, the 20-year-old will be forever known as the man who blocked the Judd deal, an unbearable situation.
The Blues were last night confident the deal would be completed today.
"We’re hopeful, very hopeful," chief executive Greg Swann said.
For Kennedy, the past 24 hours have been a roller-coaster. Last night he was with mates from his home town of Northampton, 470km north of Perth, and shared some beers.
Kennedy returned last week from the Carlton footy trip to Mexico, flew to Geraldton to see his mum, and then went fishing at the weekend. He flew to Perth yesterday.
His manager Wayne Loxley did not confirm the deal last night, but said Kennedy had been impressed with the Eagles.
Loxley’s concern was that Kennedy, who two years ago was taken out of Western Australia and moved to Melbourne, was likely to have his life turned upside down again.
"He was taken at 18 . . . probably adjusted and assimilated better than anyone could and then two years on he’s been asked to move on," Loxley said.
"He’s got to get his head around that.
"It’s easy for everyone else, including me, to think it’s an easy decision, but put yourself in his situation."
Loxley said Kennedy was aware of the importance of the situation and his decision.
"If it wasn’t Chris Judd, perhaps the best player in the competition, if it wasn’t for Judd, Josh Kennedy wouldn’t be in this situation," Loxley said.
Kennedy, who was on base salary and match payments at Carlton, will look to increase his financial return over the next two years.
The Eagles are likely to have four top-20 selections in the national draft: No. 3, No. 13, No. 20, and possibly No. 18 from Richmond as part of the Mitch Morton deal.
The Blues last night denied defender Bret Thornton was available for trade after his name was linked to Hawthorn’s Tim Boyle. Skipper Lance Whitnall’s future is still undecided.
Source: foxsports.com.au
