Chris Judd called time on a sensational AFL career on Tuesday, leaving footy behind after 279 memorable matches.

Judd finished as a Premiership captain, a two-time Brownlow Medallist, a five-time best and fairest winner and a six-time All-Australian.

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Few people in footy have a better list of honours.

But footy fans didn’t love Judd for his swag of awards. They loved him for his consistent ability to take games by the scruff of the neck.

Judd could tear a game apart in 10 minutes with his outstanding ability to win the contested ball, his sheer speed and long, powerful kicking.

It happened on so many occasions that narrowing this list down to five was not easy. The honourable mentions list was long. But without any further ado, it’s time to take a trip down memory lane…

Michael Voss knew he’d seen the arrival of a star. Photo: Getty

West Coast v Brisbane, Round 12, 2003

Judd’s display on this sunny June day was his equivalent of a breakout single. At the time, Brisbane at the ‘Gabba was the toughest task in footy.

The Lions had won the last two premierships – and would go on to make it three in a row later that year – and had lost just two home matches in as many years.

They had no answer for Judd, though, who stunned them with five first-half goals in a performance that marked his arrival as one of the game’s stars.

His searing pace away from the contest and composure in front of goal rocked Brisbane, who trailed by 48 points at the main break and lost by 69.

Judd, who seemed to charge towards goal every time he had the ball, kicked 5.2 from 17 disposals and added six tackles in what was a breathtaking performance.

West Coast lost the Grand Final but it had little to do with Judd. Photo: Getty

West Coast v Sydney, Grand Final, 2005

Judd had an excellent 2005 finals campaign but saved his best for the first of what would be a thrilling two-part Grand Final series between the Eagles and the Swans.

Most remember Sydney’s four-point win for Leo Barry’s late mark, or Tadhg Kennelly’s Irish jig.

But Judd was outstanding in the heat of the battle, winning 29 disposals – 17 of which were contested.

Daniel Kerr was injured early and had minimal impact and the Eagles trailed by 20 points at half-time of a game that saw just 15 goals kicked.

Judd almost dragged his side over the line, though, becoming just the fourth player to win the Norm Smith Medal in a losing team.

West Coast v Brisbane, Round 5, 2006

It was déjà vu for Brisbane as Judd ran riot.

His 39 disposals he registered were a career-high and staggeringly, 28 of them were contested. Putting that figure into context, only two other players on the ground that day managed double-figures in contested ball. Both (West Coast’s Tyson Stenglein and Brisbane’s Joel Macdonald) had 10.

Judd added a lazy four goals and had 10 clearances and eight tackles in perhaps his best-ever display.

West Coast led at every change, eventually triumphing by 59 points, as they made it five wins from as many matches in what would end up a premiership-winning season.

The Premiership captain lifts the Cup. Photo: Getty

West Coast v Sydney, Grand Final, 2006

Perhaps not an obvious hit of Judd’s but those who were there that day won’t forget his persistence to play on after his shoulder popped out in a collision with Adam Goodes late in the third quarter.

The Eagles led by 25 at the main break but Sydney slashed that to 11 at three-quarter time. And when Goodes goaled in the first 15 seconds of the last term, the Swans were coming.

West Coast needed their captain more than ever and he bravely fought on, adding five last-quarter disposals to finish with 28, more than any other player on the ground, of which 17 were contested.

He won eight clearances and kicked a goal as the Eagles clinched an absolute classic by one point, making Judd the club’s second premiership captain in their short-but-impressive history.

Judd’s third-quarter against the Swans will live long in the memory. Photo: Getty

Carlton v Sydney, Elimination Final, 2010

Judd’s played plenty of excellent games for the Blues but this one at the SCG really stood out.

Carlton gave up 11 goals to trail by 24 points at half-time, only to come storming back into the contest thanks to Judd’s brilliance. The skipper won 10 disposals and six clearances in the third term and was unstoppable, leading Carlton’s fight-back.

They kicked five goals to none in that quarter to take a seven-point lead into the final change.

Carlton fans began to dream of a famous away win but the Swans, who Judd so often starred against in his glittering career, lifted, eventually winning a thriller by five points.

Judd finished with 29 disposals, 18 of which were contested, and 10 inside 50’s.