Blues coach Brett Ratten says it was a close call between Judd and Stevens for the captaincy.

"It's been a tough one for the match committee and it was pretty close," Ratten said.

"You reflect on what Chris has done as a captain already and it puts him just in front of Nick."

Judd admitted it was a unique situation to be appointed skipper despite not having yet played a game for the Blues.

"It is an unusual way to go about things, but the opportunity is there now, and I'd be silly to walk away from it," Judd said.

"I just felt it was a huge privilege to be able to captain this footy club. Obviously, I haven't been here for a long time, but I'm looking forward to a long union with the footy club and the leadership group and Nick."

Nick Stevens says it was disappointing to miss out on the captaincy but that Judd was a deserving skipper.

"I would have loved to have captained the club, but on the other hand, it's a great honour to be vice-captain as well, and I guess with Juddy, there's no greater man you could lose it to," Stevens said.