Former Bombers’ captain Simon Madden and wife Mary are selling their house at 2 Edward St, Essendon. Madden is pictured (centre) with the 1989 Malcolm Blight Cup.
Bombers legend Simon Madden and his wife Mary have listed their much-loved Essendon family home $2.6m-$2.86m price hopes.
Madden, who played 19 seasons with Essendon from 1974 to 1992, is regarded as one of football’s greatest ever ruckmen.
He captained the team in 1980 and 1981 and won four club best and fairest awards.
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Madden also played in the 1984 and 1985 Premiership-winning sides, receiving the Norm Smith Medal in ‘85.
Post his playing career, he served as an Essendon director for eight years and AFL Players Association director for five years in addition to running his own consulting firm.
Madden said he and Mary moved into their Edwardian-era house named Ballanee when she was pregnant with their first son, four decades ago.
Simon Madden and wife Mary at the AFL Hall of Fame in 2025. Picture: Tim Carrafa.
The family home at 2 Edward St, Essendon, where they have lived for 40 years.
Simon Madden and with Melbourne’s Jim Stynes in 1991.
The couple are downsizing now their four children have grown up and they have four – soon to be five – grandchildren.
“It’s been a great family house and we hope that some lovely younger family will get it and make it theirs,” Madden said.
Apart from the location at 2 Edward St that’s close to public transport, schools and shops, he said Ballanee came with an additional bonus when they first moved in: it is within walking distance of Windy Hill.
Madden’s cherished memories of the house consist of spending time with friends and family in the north-facing rear courtyard and covered outdoor area.
“We’ve had 50 people in our backyard sitting down for Christmas, we’ve had my brother’s second wedding and we’ve had 18ths, 21st, 40th and 50th birthdays,” Madden said.
The kitchen is equipped with engineered stone counters, a stainless steel oven and gas cook top, dishwasher and a servery window to outside.
The house is set on a 635sq m block.
Essendon icons Paul Vander Haar, Terry Daniher and Simon Madden at Windy Hill. Picture: Michael Klein.
His mates, fellow football icons Terry Daniher, Paul Vander Haar, Garry Foulds and Alan Stoneham, have all been guests at the home.
The kitchen is fitted with a stainless steel oven, gas cooktop and dishwasher and a servery window to the alfresco dining area.
Madden and Mary extended the abode about 28 to 30 years ago in sympathy with its period features including pressed metal ceilings, decorative plaster work, stained glass windows and fireplaces.
They added a dining room, family room, laundry, guest toilet and under-stairs storage space downstairs.
Pressed metal ceilings and a fireplace feature in the lounge room.
In 1992, Simon Madden, Tim Watson and Terry Daniher, competed an honour lap at Waverley Park prior to playing Geelong.
Ballanee is close to Mt Alexander Rd’s tram stops, Essendon station and bus routes, Rose St’s shops and cafes, parks and schools.
Upstairs, the main bedroom with an ensuite, walk-in wardrobe and a “parents’ retreat-slash-office” were built.
McDonald Upton’s Paul McDonald said Ballanee was one-of-a-kind thanks to its period character and corner block.
“It has got street appeal, historical significance and plenty of space for family,” Mr McDonald said.
The house will be auctioned at 11am on November 15.
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