The dual Brownlow Medallist midfielder limped off the field just before half-time at Docklands stadium and spent the second half in a forward role.
However ruckman Robbie Warnock, who missed a late shot at goal that would have given the Blues victory, spent the night in hospital after suffering a knock to the head in the closing stages of the match.
He has been cleared of any structural damage.
Blues coach Brett Ratten said Carlton's poor goalkicking in the last term, 3.6 to Geelong's 3.1, was a key factor in the 15.12 (102) to 14.16 (100) loss.
However the Blues mentor was upbeat about Judd's move forward in the second half after the 27-year-old suffered a sprained ankle just before half-time.
"He just couldn't get I suppose the last five or 10 per cent of his power to run through the midfield so we thought we'd play him forward," Ratten said.
"It was a great goal that left-footer and he looked dangerous all the time up there so it was worth keeping him out there.
"It's good for our (midfield) group to have to adjust and take up the slack when Chris is not in there.
"He's a great player to play forward and for Chris' longevity he needs to play forward a little bit more in his games."
Ratten said the Blues showed a great hunger to compete, although he was critical of goalkicking and concentration errors.
"It hurt us. Three goals six in the last quarter to three-one, we had our chance," he said.
"It was 15 inside-50s to nine but we couldn't put it through the big sticks."
- AAP
Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, carlton-3053, melbourne-3000 First posted May 21, 2011 11:54:00
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