Justin Madden - Essendon →  Carlton:

The one that will probably hurt the most for Essendon fans to read as it will remind them as to what could have been.  An Essendon local, Justin is of course the younger brother of the much loved Simon.  The path was set for an era of Madden domination at the Bombers when Justin joined Simon at the Club in 1980.  However, with his brother playing such a dominant role in the ruck and up forward, Justin sought a trade at the end of 1982.  He would, unfortunately for Bombers’ fans, land at the Blues.  Here, the 206 cm talent went on to become one of Carlton’s most successful players.  

Over 15 seasons, Justin played in two premierships and came close to winning the Brownlow medal in 1985 (the same year that Simon was celebrating a Premiership with the Bombers).  Both loved by their respective Clubs, the split of the two brothers further fuelled the rivalry between Essendon and Carlton fans as the argument as to who was the better brother commenced. Both teams pay honour to the contribution that the brothers made when they play for the ‘Madden Cup’ each year.  For the record, we still very much think that we got the better Madden! 

Games Played Essendon: 45

Games Played Carlton: 287

Scott Camporeale - Carlton →  Essendon:

A famous son of Carlton, Scott Camporeale’s move to Essendon ended abruptly when he suffered a career ending knee injury in the final rounds of 2007. Camporeale had made a name for himself as an elite midfielder at the Blues. Drafted with pick number 15 in the 1994 National Draft, the South Australian native would have a debut season to remember finishing second in the NAB Rising Star award and also playing in Carlton’s Premiership winning team.  His best season for the Blues came in 2000, when he was awarded the Best and Fairest.  Camporeale found himself at the Bombers when contract negotiations went sour with the Blues at the end of 2005.  While he only played 19 games with the Bombers, he would go onto join the Essendon coaching team from 2007-2010 before moving to the Adelaide Crows.

Games Played Essendon: 19

Games Played Carlton: 233

Cory McGrath – Essendon → Carlton:

McGrath was another one of the young players who rose through the ranks of Essendon’s rookie list before being elevated to the senior list in 2000.  Talented across the midfield and half-back line, McGrath made his debut with the Bombers in round 9 of 2001.  While he had a solid debut year, an ankle injury in 2002 would curtail his progress and he was only able to play in nine games the following year.  Wanting more opportunity, McGrath featured in a trade to the Blues that would see Justin Murphy and ruckman Matthew Allan land in the red and black.  A new role at Carlton saw him go on and play an additional 50 games before being delisted at the end of 2006.

Games Played Essendon: 28

Games Played Carlton: 50

Justin Murphy – Carlton →  Essendon:

Moving to a Club that you openly admitted hating during the height of the Essendon/Carlton rivalry, would not be considered ideal.  However, that was the case for one of the true journeymen of the AFL – Justin Murphy.   

Beginning his career at Richmond, Murphy was traded to the Blues at the end of 1996. He would go on to cement himself as a deadly midfielder, with an overwhelming ability to find the goals. He played with the Blues between 1996-2000 before being traded to Geelong.  Murphy only lasted one season at the Cats, before rejoining the Blues for another two seasons.  

Circumstances at the Blues saw Murphy traded to the Bombers along with ruckman Matthew Allan for Essendon’s young defender Cory McGrath.

True to his character, Murphy worked hard at the Bombers and had a debut season to remember in 2004.  He played 23 games and finish 7^th overall in the Bombers’ best and fairest.  However, he was unable to replicate this form the following year and retired at the end of 2005.

Games Played Essendon: 40

Games Played Carlton: 115 

Glenn Manton – Essendon →  Carlton:

Born and bred in the Essendon area, Manton would first join the Bombers at 16-years of age when he was selected in the Club’s Under-19s team.  He fought his way onto the senior list in 1992.  Manton was unlucky to miss out on the success of the ‘Baby Bombers’ in 1993.  The defender had played in the last few rounds of the season and was in good form heading into the finals. A hamstring injury late in the year would, however, end his hopes of joining his teammates in the Grand Final.

He was delisted by the Bombers at the end of the 1994 season and was given a  lifeline at the Blues.  Manton walked straight into the Premiership winning side of 1995 and cemented himself as one of Carlton’s top defenders. He would go onto play 157-games in the Navy Blue.

Games Played Essendon: 21

Games Played Carlton: 157