THE biggest trade in AFL history has officially moved into overdrive. Having dropped his bombshell and said goodbye to the West Coast Eagles, Chris Judd will fly home to Melbourne tomorrow and hold talks with four clubs — Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon and Melbourne.

The outgoing Eagles captain and 2004 Brownlow medallist confessed at yesterday's dignified public farewell in Perth that he had virtually decided two years ago that he would end his AFL career in his home town and warned the club of this when it asked him to take over the captaincy from the errant Ben Cousins. The decision, said Judd, crystallised earlier this season, but was in no way linked with the Eagles' often scandalous social problems.

The self-possessed 24-year-old, whose next contract will command at least $1 million a year in match payments and marketing money, described his move as "a sad decision" but "a decision I'm content with".

"If the club was the East Coast Eagles I would have signed a 10-year contract under market price a long time ago."

Already financially established with substantial property and market investments, Judd will sell his home in the suburb of Joondanna and move home with his West Australian partner Rebecca Twigley, a speech pathology student who works part-time for Channel Seven in Perth, and will take part in that network's Brownlow Medal red carpet coverage on Monday night.

Seven's managing director in Melbourne — and former Melbourne vice-president — Ian Johnson, said of Twigley's job prospects here: "If some position comes up, we'd talk to her of, course" — but said his affiliation with Melbourne would not be a factor. "I wouldn't compromise my position with the Seven Network," he said. (Judd supported Melbourne until he became an AFL player).

Judd is believed to have ruled out several clubs, including the Western Bulldogs, due to the presence there of Jason Akermanis, who made an unfounded accusation of drug-cheating against Judd's close friend Michael Braun. Hawthorn remains an outside chance.

Judd's coach, John Worsfold, declared him irreplaceable.

But now the club has no choice but to trade. The prevailing view is that it will cost an early draft pick plus at least one good player to secure Judd.

Although West Coast is reluctant to deal with Collingwood, which has no early draft picks and wants to keep its young players, Judd and his manager, Paul Connors, have indicated to West Coast that it must deal with whichever team Judd chooses.

Collingwood would offer Judd an experienced premiership coach in Mick Malthouse, the prospect of short-term success — and world-class rehabilitation facilities. (Judd faces an operation on his troubled groin).

But Carlton remains the strong favourite because it boasts draft picks No. 1 and No. 3, a wealthychairman in Richard Pratt and potential trade bait in forward Brendan Fevola or the promising West Australian Josh Kennedy. The Carlton captaincy would be Judd's if he accepted it.

Essendon boasts an early pick, along with a group of talented young West Australians, but still has no coach.

Having spent a quarter of his life at West Coast, Judd broke the news of his momentous decision to teammate Daniel Kerr three days ago at end-of-season drinks. "I'm out of here," he told close friend Kerr when pressed.

Kerr said last night he had suspected the decision, given that Judd's Perth home was an old house and the player had shown no inclination to renovate.

Judd joked that his mother Lisa Engel, who wrote the song Backyard Champions dedicated to the footballer in 2005, was writing another song now titled: "My boy's coming home".

He added that he was more than just a footballer but "a son, a friend, a brother". Apart from his parents, Judd is close to his elder sister Lauren.

"On the other side of the country there's a crew of people that are pretty excited about me coming home," he said.

Judd's father, Andrew, told The Age: "What he said today summed it up beautifully." Was he happy with the news? "What do you reckon?"