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In  1947 Keith  Slater lined up with Cobbers in the Midland Temperance League’s junior football competition with a lot of other twelve year olds.  This was the beginning of an association between Slater and WA sport at the highest level,  encompassing all facets of cricket and football. Whether it be coaching, broadcasting, organizing, or giving his time to help out, Slater has been an icon of sport in this state for over 60 years.

Slater made his league debut for Swans at the age of twenty.  A solid ruckman who played in an era of many riches in ruckmen in the WANFL, he was equally effective at centre half forward, strong marking overhead being a feature of his game.

Also a very good cricketer, Slater  could bowl  fast or spin, bat middle order and opened at times for WA, representing his State with distinction on a total of 61 occasions.  He played one Test in 1958-59 against England, where he became embroiled in the “chucking” paranoia of the time by being called for throwing, which undoubtedly curtailed his Test career.

While coping with two sports, he picked up the Swans Fairest and Best award in 1956, 57, and 60. 

But the best was around the corner. 

After languishing at the bottom for several seasons, Swans appointed the brilliant South Australian  rover Haydn Bunton as playing coach. It was to be a  masterstroke for the black and whites, storming their way to a memorable premiership in 1961, and proving to be the first of a hat trick.  

Great players were developed by Swans in that period, and one of the driving forces was Slater, whether rucking or in attack.  He played one of his seventeen matches (three as captain)for WA in the legendary Brisbane win over Victoria, but one of his finest efforts was reserved for the 61 grand final, when ,rucking against the great Polly Farmer, he was awarded the Simpson Medal in his side’s euphoric  win.

In 1964, after 167 games at Bassendean,  Slater accepted the role of captain coach of Subiaco, playing a further  52  with the Lions before pulling the curtain on a distinguished career  in 1967.  He was still playing well enough to earn selection for his state in 1966.

He played his last Sheffield Shield match for WA in 1968, accumulated 2027 runs, with a highest score of 154, and took 112 wickets, during a State cricket career spanning thirteen years.  

Keith “spud” Slater  is a man who loves his sport, and has never been far away from the action since his playing days finished.  Whether commentating, sitting in the expert’s chair, helping out with events, or coaching young up and comers, Keith has always been only too happy to be involved.  And his opinions have been sought  often over the years.

Whatever his involvement, Keith Slater is an ornament to football and cricket in WA.

 

 

 

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