CARLTON champion Chris Judd says it is important the club remains "united" in the wake of Mick Malthouse's sacking.
Judd said it was imperative that everyone at the Blues throw their support behind interim coach John Barker, while also saying Malthouse's decorated 717-game senior coaching career should not be lost amongst Tuesday's events.
"The time now will be to celebrate what a wonderful coaching career Mick's had and for all Carlton people to stick fat and stay united through this situation," Judd said upon leaving the club on Tuesday afternoon.
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Judd would not go into specifics into the message Malthouse left the playing group with in his final day at the club, but praised the veteran coach for his sentiment.
"He had a lot of dignity, he didn't apportion the blame and there was no bitterness and, what was a really intense situation for him, he handled it incredibly well," Judd said.
Dale Thomas, who followed Malthouse from Collingwood to the Blues, also filed out of Ikon Park shortly after and looked visibly shattered with Tuesday's proceedings.
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Judd denied the players felt any animosity toward the club and its board.
"The main emotion is one of sadness for Mick, because he's a wonderful coach and he's been put through the wringer throughout this whole process," Judd said.
"We're sad for him (Malthouse) but we stick by the club and get behind John Barker now."