Judd was the recruit of the decade when Carlton nabbed him from West Coast at the end of the 2007 season.
“I certainly can’t imagine what the club would look like without Dick’s influence,” Judd said on Tuesday.
“You know, I’m sure Greg Swann wouldn’t be our CEO and I doubt I would have been here as well.
“So I’m incredibly thankful that he did get involved and I’m incredibly thankful that I’ve wound up playing for this great footy club.
“I think the most impressive thing about what Dick did coming in to the fray was not necessarily the money he put into the club, I think it was more the fact that a man as busy as he was was willing to give up his time to contribute to a club which he loves.”
Judd joined current president Stephen Kernahan and coach Brett Ratten to pay tribute to the gravely ill Pratt.
Just over two years ago, Kernahan called on Pratt to take over the presidency with the club on its knees financially and in dire straits on-field after finishing last in 2005 and 2006.
With Pratt's arrival the finances were soon in order, facility upgrades were on the agenda and the talent started to flow back to Visy Park.
Swann was nabbed from Collingwood as CEO, Judd was traded in from West Coast and suddenly the Blues were back in town.
"February 9, 2007 was a very significant day in the history of the Carlton football club," Kernahan said.
"Richard Pratt was appointed president and I think this club looks back at that as a turning point in our dark days from 2001 to 2007.
"He's been sensational for our footy club, he's been great for the players ... and to the staff, and especially to [chief executive] Greg Swann and myself.
"He's been a friend and a bloke we speak to every week."
Kernahan and Swann visited Pratt on Tuesday morning and found him in good spirits.
"The first thing he said was: 'what happened last week and what's wrong with our kicking?' So that's where Dick's at," Kernahan said.
Ratten also praised Pratt’s efforts, saying the former president had been the driving factor behind the club’s recent resurgence.
He said the playing group had also been updated on Pratt’s condition.
“It hit the players,” Ratten said.
“Their well wishes will go to Dick … hopefully we can get a win for him on Sunday.”
Pratt resigned as president when he was charged with criminal offences over price-fixing. He had earlier being fined $36 million by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
