IN HIS long political career, Justin Madden enjoyed his share of election victories. And in 1993 he would have won another, albeit less-flattering, poll.
Back then, if you'd asked fans to nominate the player least likely to take two bounces and kick a long goal, Madden would have claimed a landslide victory.
He was, after all, an "un-athletic, uncoordinated, relatively unskilled, blight on the game" – his description – and a dinosaur in style, age (32) and size (206cms and 107kgs).
Which makes the Carlton ruck great's goal in the 1993 second semi-final against Adelaide at Waverley one of the most unexpected and comical individual efforts in memory.
It's not as famous, or as bumbling, as Collingwood captain Ray Gabelich's goal in the 1964 Grand Final against Melbourne, but it certainly attracted comparisons.
Reminded of his feat, Madden breaks into one of those goofy grins and belly laughs that have endeared him to fans, and many Victorian voters, over a combined 30-odd years of public life as a footballer and politician.
More endearing, though, is the self-deprecation that accompanies the grin and guffaw.
Too modest to talk up his football abilities, Madden often goes to the opposite extreme – with hilarious effect.
This is not surprising for a man who, in a 1985 practice match, was reported for "leg pulling" – literally, not figuratively. (Also unsurprising is that he was cleared of the bizarre charge.)
Of his famous run, Madden says: "It's funny how you can play an entire career over 19 years and only be remembered for something that was completely uncharacteristic."
The full version of this story appears in this week's semi-final edition of the AFL Record.
