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Chris Judd's memories of the West Coast Eagles in 2006 differed from those of Daniel Chick, he said on Friday.
But the recently retired champion said he hoped his former teammate would be there when the team next year got together on the 10th anniversary of their grand final win.
Chick this week went public with claims about West Coast in 2006, involving players using cocaine, ecstasy, methamphetamine and high doses of prescription drugs including Xanax, Valium and Prednisone.
Although the drug culture of the club at that time is well known, the AFL will now investigate Chick's new assertions.
Judd, one of the AFL's most respected figures, played for the Eagles between 2002 and 2007, before moving to Carlton.
He said he was surprised by some of Chick's claims.
Judd said the culture of the club at that time "was not up to scratch and needed improving".
"But certainly some of Daniel's memories of what was going on were very different to my own," he said.
Judd said the timing of Chick going public with his story, days before West Coast competed in another grand final, was unfortunate.
"I think that club worked so hard to improve the culture and they've done a great job."
Judd said he hoped Chick would be at the West Coast's 2006 reunion next year.
He said Chick had been through a lot and he did not hold any ill feelings towards him.
"I believe that his recollections are very much real to him, I don't think he's made that up and really he's got some unfinished issues with the club," Judd said.
"I hope he's there, I hope he can catch up and have a chat and move on, but also celebrate a time that was very special to the people that were involved in it."
Judd suffered a knee injury and retired before the end of this season.
