CHRIS Judd's bombshell exit from West Coast has set up a massive test case for the AFL's player transfer system and the salary cap.

While most people will focus on where the 2004 Brownlow medallist ends up, I'll be more interested in how he gets there.

And I'm not convinced a home-cooked roast dinner from his mum on a Sunday night was Judd's sole reason for leaving West Coast, where he has enjoyed terrific success and reasonably could have expected more in the next few years.

Rarely do we see franchise players "on the market", so naturally we are seeing a lot of clubs falling over themselves with the mouth-watering prospect of snaring someone of Judd's calibre. There is only one other player in the competition who could command such intense bidding — Jonathan Brown. These are players you can build a team around and that's the reason why the system will be tested.

The interesting thing for me isn't what Judd will be paid under his next contract. He'll be adequately compensated, just as he would have been if he'd stayed with the Eagles. There's no doubt that to get him, there won't be much change out of $1 million.

What I'll be watching is how the AFL monitors any references to incentives as part of a deal through the non-football money that would form part of his package.

The AFL is extremely diligent on payments received by players that are remotely separate to football payments. A catch-all rule prohibits any associate of a club making additional payments to players. Sponsors, administrators, members, even the boot-studder, fall under the banner. The AFL even monitors gifts.

So, with this rule in the back of my mind, you can begin to appreciate the scepticism I have on the legitimacy of any additional money that is even talked about before Judd arrives in Victoria. If a discussion of this nature even takes place, surely this is conduct prejudicial to the draft and the salary cap. Any such payment from a third party has to be commercially acceptable to the AFL.

That itself is not the issue. It's easy for any company aligned with Judd to affirm that a commercial partnership is fair and reasonable because of the commercial power and worth of the brilliant midfielder. He could play in Papua New Guinea and justify a six-figure endorsement.

The question for me is how can a partnership with any individual or any company, be it inferred or suggested, be completely legitimate while trade negotiations are still taking place and a club hasn't even yet been decided?

It would be shallow to suggest that the likely extra money he will receive would be the only criterion on Judd's decision to change clubs. I'm not thinking that at all. I'm sure he is trying to get his head around other more important questions: does he choose an up-and-coming club that will be able to build a team around him? Or does he go to a club on the brink of a breakthrough premiership, looking for that one extra player who might get it over the top — such as Collingwood.

Regardless, he'll be a fantastic investment for whoever gets him. It's going to be similar to David Beckham moving to the US to play soccer. Los Angeles Galaxy paid a fortune and has made money on the deal. Lots of it. And soccer in the States has enjoyed hysterical public support like never before.

Not since Brown was coming out of contract have such huge numbers been thrown around in the AFL. Collingwood reportedly had an almighty crack at luring Brown from the Lions. If you believe what you read, he was to receive about $1.5 million a year — or about 20 per cent of the club's salary cap at the time. Phase two of the "Judd Watch" is the club or clubs hoping he will nominate them as preferred choice. Another trend, it seems.

I am a little sketchy on trade and draft guidelines, so maybe someone can help. Since Chris has signalled his intention to move, doesn't the best deal on the table for West Coast win the signature? Or shouldn't it?

I am looking for the ace Judd has up his sleeve to ensure he gets to his club of choice. Richmond, with first pick in the pre-season draft, is the only club he could be guaranteed to go to. And the Tigers are yet to signal they will meet his needs.

So, unless something amazing pops up, you'd think Carlton has the cards to win the deal. Surely, West Coast doesn't have to miss out on the No. 1 pick in the national draft just to ensure Judd gets a nice home. And pick No. 1 is what he is worth every day of the week. And twice next week.

It's not a question of which draft pick but which player you throw in with it. Give me Judd ahead of any young man in the draft. He's a superstar who still has many years left in his body, a proven big-stage performer who can turn a game in a flash.

That is a better prospect than any untried player — No. 1 pick or not. It's not impossible for that No. 1 pick to be as good as Judd but it's a huge ask. I'd take a certainty over a possibility every day. It is with this in mind that unless a club can throw in a Nathan Buckley at 24, then Carlton should get its man. Can anyone trump that deal? I'd like to see that.