TOPIC:

Former Test cricketer and Swan Districts legend Keith Slater has died after a long illness aged 89.

Slater was an all-rounder in more ways than one, bowling both off-spin and medium-pace. He was also useful with the bat averaging 21 including a match-saving century against Queensland when he opened. He played 74 first-class matches for WA.

Slater became the first West Australian to play in an Ashes Test when he earned his baggy green in the third Test at Sydney in 1958-1959.

He took the wickets of Peter May and Ted Dexter but never played Test cricket again because of concern over his bowling action. Chairman of selectors Don Bradman showed Slater a video of his action to illustrate the problem.

He was later called for throwing while playing against New South Wales.

On the football field, the star ruckman helped Swan Districts to the 1961 flag helping overcome East Perth legend Graham “Polly” Farmer to secure the team’s first premiership and earning him the Simpson Medal.

The Swans completed a hat-trick of flags while he also helped WA to win the national carnival in Brisbane later that season. He played for WA 21 times.

He became captain-coach of Subiaco in the 1964 season in a shock move but would return to the Swans after three seasons before retiring at the end of the 1967 season.

He kicked 199 goals in 166 games for the Swans and was named in their Team of the Century.

In between his football and cricket commitments, he was also an A-grade baseball player for the Swan Districts Angels.

In 2020 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia “for significant service to cricket, Australian rules football, and baseball, in Western Australia.”

Off the field, he was co-founder of Slater-Gartrell Sports and served on the board of the West Australian Institute of Sports for several years and was for many years the voice of WA footy and cricket across radio and televison.

Sad news here - Keith was one of our stalwart WANFL commentators after his playing career ended , he will be missed across the board given his contributions to sport in general.
All the very very best to his families & friends
Rest in peace mate

RIP Keith Slater. A wonderful footballer and a top bloke

Spud used to have his sports store in the same car park as my old man’s pub in Midland,40 odd years ago,and I found him to be a likeable guy on the rare occasion he would pop in the bottle shop to buy an ale,as I did with Roo Yardley who also worked in the sports store.I also didn’t mind Spud as a commentator on the ABC in the halcyon days when WAFL was the hottest ticket in town.

Until today, I never knew that Keith Slater was also a top baseballer on top of his considerable footy and cricket achievements.
Condolences to Keith's family, friends and the Swans and Subi footy clubs.

Sad news. Spud was a very good sportsman in the West. Test cricketer, state footballer.
Became a good expert comment man on radio and Tv.
Rest peacefully Keith Slater.

RIP Spud.
One of the greatest sportsman ever produced in WA.
Cricket- AUS, WA
Football- WA, SD, SU
Baseball- WA
Also a successful businessman, commentator (football & cricket on TV, Radio & Print) & racehorse owner.

There is a great tribute to Keith on LOST WAFL.
Very well written and a great insight into the man.

Was fortunate to speak to Slater/Potato a number of times,over the years.Was allways willing to have a chat.At the Wafl,Cricket,Tab or anywhere around monkey town.
Like a lot of West Aussies of his generation.Had a passionate hatred of Victoria and the VFL.Which later transfered to the Wafc.
Some of my greatest memorys of sport commentary.Come from Spud and will be memorys to my final days on planet earth
RIP Wa Legend Keith Slater.

Keith's memorial service is being held on Friday March 28, 11am at Lilac Hill, home ground to the Midland-Guilford Cricket Club.