Australian Football

He may have boasted neither elegance nor athleticism, but Justin Madden was one of the most supremely effective ruckmen of recent times. His massive 206 cm, 107 kg frame was significantly bigger than that of most opponents, who found it virtually impossible to dislodge him from ruck contests. He could also do a serviceable, if somewhat stilted, job around the ground, and liked to kick a goal.

Madden commenced his senior career at Essendon, but his opportunities there were restricted owing to the presence of another champion ruckman in the shape of his older brother, Simon. Consequently, after 45 VFL games and 20 goals between 1980 and 1982 he moved to Carlton, where over the course of 287 games (for 170 goals) from 1983 to 1996 he established himself as one of the most instantly recognisable, and well-loved, players in the game. A club best and fairest winner in 1985 and 1991, Madden came within a vote of winning the 1985 Brownlow Medal, gained AFL All Australian selection in 1995, and was a key contributor to two Carlton premierships. He was the V/AFL's leader in hit-outs won in a record seven seasons.

Author - John Devaney