Round 7, 1983 - Sydney v Carlton, SCG. The first of Justin Madden’s 287 games through 14 seasons in Dark Navy, and ‘Harry’ contributed five goals to an all-too-rare winning score in the Harbour City.

Carlton cult hero Vin Catoggio, complete with afro, turned out for the Swans in that one, as did a wiry future Norm Smith Medallist David Rhys-Jones . . . and both looked better in Dark Navy.

Bruce Reid – father of Sydney’s Sam and Collingwood’s Ben – was named in Carlton’s forward pocket alongside Ross Ditchburn, in a contest in which the field the umpires John Russo and Vas Vasilou brought a mid-Mediterranean feel.

A whopping 37 points in arrears at the first change in that contest, Carlton’s timely 13.4 second quarter against the Swans was second only to its highest second-quarter score of 14.1 in the Round 14, 1975 contest with Essendon at Windy Hill.

Rhys-Jones was considered best afield for Sydney, but it was Harry’s day, even given the five-goal hauls from both Ross Ditchburn and Peter McConville.

The champion Richmond full-forward Michael Roach, at that time a columnist for the weekly newspaper Inside Football, spoke volumes for Madden, who on the cusp of the ’83 season joined the club after 45 senior appearances for Essendon.

“Carlton searched far and wide for suitable big man back-up for captain, Mike Fitzpatrick. The Blues were fortunate enough to secure the services of Justin Madden, who, during a brief career at Essendon earned a reputation as one of the best ruckman in the League,” Roach wrote.

“Justin's 6ft 9in frame proved too much for the Swans on Sunday - particularly in the final term when he took a couple of big marks near goal with those long arms of his easily outreaching the tired Swan defenders. He’ll certainly be a valuable player for the Blues during the rest of this season and for years to come.”

Round 7, Sunday May 8, 1983, SCG

CARLTON      1.3 (9)       14.7 (91)       15.12 (102)        22.17 (149)

SYDNEY        7.4 (46)     10.6 (66)       15.6 (96)            18.10 (118)

Goalkickers: J. Madden 5, R. Ditchburn 5, P. McConville 5, F. Marchesani 3, D. Glascott 2, R. Ashman 1, P. Bosustow 1