Where Gary Ablett stands Chris Judd once stood.

A Brownlow Medallist in a high-profile change of clubs.

Expected to single-handedly carry it to success.

The AFL community watching intently.

And with a similarly dodgy groin ahead of his debut.

Yet despite the similarities, Judd sees it as "inappropriate" to comment on what ex-Geelong star Ablett must be feeling ahead of his first match for Gold Coast against the Blues on Saturday night.

"(Leaving West Coast) was an incredibly tough decision for me, and one that was not really made for footballing reasons," Judd said.

"I'm happy with the move. It was a tough thing to do, but I'm really excited about the future here now and what the next few years hold (at Carlton).

"As for Gary it's inappropriate trying to comment on how he'll go and what's he's up to - because I just wouldn't know."

Since joining Carlton in 2008, Judd has never looked back.

A second Brownlow Medal came last season, and his 200th AFL game comes at the Gabba on Saturday night.

In Judd's answers to questions about his looming milestone game, there is both thought and weight.

He believes Gold Coast - a club as yet with no history - has history on its side on debut.

Four of the past six VFL/AFL newcomers have won their opening match, he points out.

Adelaide, West Coast, the Brisbane Lions and even their wretched forerunners the Bears - unsuccessfully based on the Suns' new patch - were first-up winners.

Judd believes the Suns' emotion level spells danger for the Blues, who must be at their top to topple its effect.

In terms of his own career, Judd delves deep into the memory bank for the best of his 199 games.

Not his two grand finals. Try round five, 2006 against Brisbane at Subiaco Oval - 39 touches and three Brownlow votes.

And the best lesson learned from another AFL player over his 10-season career? From Ben Cousins.

"Taking real ownership of your training," Judd says was what demon trainer Cousins taught him at West Coast.

"Not just having an attitude of coming to the club, getting told what to do and going away and doing it.

"But taking some real control over what you want to work on and how you want to prepare for the game."

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