Carlton and Essendon will battle it out for the Madden Cup at the MCG on Saturday.

The Madden Cup is named in honour of brothers Justin and Simon, who between them played 710 games for Carlton and Essendon.

Carlton premiership ruckman Justin Madden ran out 287 times in the navy blue jumper, wearing the No. 44 now belonging to Andrew Carrazzo.

He played in the 1987 and 1995 premierships, and was named Carlton's best and fairest in 1985 and 1991.

The Blues and the Bombers have played for the Madden Cup since 1997 – the same year that Justin Madden retired.