Judd named top Blue

Carlton skipper Chris Judd has taken out the Blues' best and fairest in his first year with the club.

Judd, who won two club champion awards with West Coast, won the John Nicholls Medal from young gun Marc Murphy and spearhead Brendan Fevola.

The former Eagle polled 472 votes with Murphy on 417. Fevola, who kicked 99 goals for the season, finished with 373 votes.

Last year's winner Andrew Carrazzo (316) was fourth ahead of impressive No.1 draft pick Bryce Gibbs (288).

While Judd received the top honour before 1100 guests at Crown Casino on Thursday night, the top-five finishes of Murphy and Gibbs warmed the faithful just as much.

Judd played 21 games in his debut season in navy blue and racked up 500 disposals, including a league leading 231 contested possessions. He also led Carlton in tackles (82), clearances (103) and kicked 15 goals for the season.

The Carlton best and fairest adds to his 2004 Brownlow Medal, 2005 Norm Smith Medal and AFLPA Most Valuable Player Award in 2006.

Murphy, in his third season, played all 22 games for the season and was the leading possession winner for Carlton with 542 disposals.

Fevola also played 22 matches on his way to a career-high 99 majors for the year.

In other awards, last year's No.1 pick Matthew Kruezer was the best first year player and Carrazzo took out best clubman.

Senior coach Brett Ratten told the function that while the Blues hoped to make the finals in 2007 and thought they could qualify in 2009, they expect to make the final eight next season.

"We're earning respect back," Ratten said.

"We haven’t gained respect but we’re earning respect back from the competition."

"Teams don't fear us like they did but … they're very aware of what we’re capable of doing and … we need to play finals footy."

In more good news for the club, it was announced that Jarrad Waite had put pen to paper on a new three-year deal.

Jordan Russell and Joe Anderson also re-signed for a further two years.

And Murphy revealed that he's close to re-signing.

"It's pretty much done I think," Murphy said after the count.

"I've just got to sign it, I think, so I'm just waiting to get the paperwork put in front of me and then I'll sign on the dotted line and I'm looking forward to doing so."

Carlton best and fairest:
Chris Judd (472 votes), Marc Murphy (417), Brendan Fevola (373), Andrew Carrazzo (310), Bryce Gibbs (288), Nick Stevens (287), Jarrad Waite (267), Kade Simpson (202), Heath Scotland (201), Bret Thornton 197.