Teague shrugs off ‘training wheels’ gibe as Judd cops club flak

CARLTON caretaker David Teague says he didn’t need to clear the air with Chris Judd after the Blues’ football director appeared to rule him out of contention for the vacant senior coaching role.

Teague has impressed since taking over from Brendon Bolton last month but his hopes of assuming the job permanently appeared to be dashed when

Judd pointedly declared the Blues “don’t want someone with training wheels on”.

“We want an experienced coach that can take us to the next step,” Judd said on Footy Classified.

“(Teague) is getting some really good coaching experience now ... he’s in effect coached his own team, but that’s not really the same as being an actual senior coach of a football team with the pressure that comes with that.”

Judd’s remarks sent the Blues into damage control with chief executive Cain Liddle declaring they hadn’t ruled anyone in or out.

Club great Mark Maclure was highly critical of Judd, saying he had disrespected Teague and should apologise.

But Teague said he had no issue with Judd’s comments.

“I speak to Chris regularly and I’m very comfortable with where the club’s at,” Teague said yesterday.

“I think we’ve got the right people in place to make that call and I’ve got no issue at all there.

“He did mention that there was some conversation around what he said on the Monday night but he didn’t really need to clear it up with me.”

Teague added he hadn’t given up hope of coaching Carlton beyond this season.

“If at the end of the year I’m ready to go then yes, but I’m learning a lot about myself right now and I’m really enjoying that process,” he said.

“At the end of the year I’ll have a chat and see where I’m at and I’ll have a better understanding of whether I think I’m ready to go or not.”

Having steered the Blues to two wins and two tight losses, Teague will welcome back skipper Patrick Cripps for today’s clash with Sydney at the SCG.

Former Geelong Falcon Hugh Goddard will play his first game for the Blues and Harry McKay also returns but Jacob Weitering (broken nose) and Mitch McGovern are unavailable.

“He’s just not able to train at the level to get his fitness,” Teague said of McGovern, adding that the key forward could miss multiple games.