LOYALTY is Ken Judge's legacy.
Those closest to him have described him as one of the most loyal men they have ever met.
Loyal to East Fremantle, where he started his journey in elite football in 1975. He played 120 games for the Sharks across a 12-year span. He played in the 1979 WAFL premiership and was the club's leading goalkicker in 1980.
He returned as coach during the 1991 season and led the Sharks to WAFL premierships in 1992 and 1994.
He was the club's patron until his passing. He was also a life member, former director and passionate supporter.
Loyal to Hawthorn, as a premiership player and former coach, despite only eight seasons of direct involvement at the club.
He joined the Hawks for the start of the 1983 season. He kicked 43 goals in his first season as the Hawks won the flag. The half-forward flanker bagged 63 in his second year and played in both losing Grand Finals in 1984 and 1985.
He played his last game for the Hawks in the 1986 semi-final against Carlton, with a knee injury contributing to his omission from the premiership side. But he remained fiercely loyal to his coach Allan Jeans.
Teammate Dermott Brereton told News Limited he was a "wonderful player" and one of the best set shots for goal he had ever seen in his career.
Judge made a decision to join the Brisbane Bears in 1987 on an offer that was described as 'too good to refuse'. But he managed just 17 matches in two seasons as injury continued to plague him.
He was loyal to Carlton, where he was assistant coach for one season in 1995. His allegiance was so strong that he made the trip to the club's 20-year premiership reunion despite his failing health.
Blues premiership coach David Parkin described his influence as profound.
"In terms of the Carlton impact, Ken was a ferocious competitor," Parkin said.
"He was the agent provocateur through 1995. We had a fair few 'yes men' around the place but Ken was never a yes man. He always had an edge.
"He was a terrific competitor in what he did and his expectation of others. He was a really powerful influence in keeping us directed and on-song, and we couldn't have made a better choice in terms of the impact."
A return to his beloved Hawthorn beckoned in 1996. The club was on the brink of a possible merger, but he incredibly led the Hawks to the finals that season.
Shane Crawford wrote of Judge's impact on Friday.
"He took over the Hawthorn football club when we had no money, no players and (to) many, no future. He (instilled) belief, spirit and most of all passion, which still lives on in all the players today."
His brief stint as coach of West Coast was not as fruitful. He was gone after just two seasons at the end of 2001. But he transitioned out some of the veteran premiership stars from the 1992 and 1994 teams and ushered in a group of youngsters that would achieve the ultimate success in 2006.
Eagles chief executive Trevor Nisbett acknowledged Judge's strong contribution during to a challenging time in the club's history on Friday.
Judge was loyal to CBC cricket club in Perth's South Metropoliton Cricket Association. He played and coached during the summers of his football career and has been described as the club's greatest ever players and one of the most significant contributors to its history. He was made a life member in 1989 and his sons are still involved.
He was loyal to his employers at the ABC and The West Australian newspaper as a long-time commentator, broadcaster and columnist. He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare form of blood cancer, in June 2010.
Despite being ravaged by chemotherapy and a relapse in 2012 he continued to work tirelessly as a forthright commentator and writer until recently.
He was loyal to his business partner and friend, former Australian test captain Kim Hughes. The pair built a successful corporate motivational speaking business and worked together for 15 years as the captain and the coach.
Loyalty is Judge's legacy.
He is survived by his wife Annette and three sons, Jason, Ben and Beau.
