Australian Football

Keith Slater is probably best remembered for a Herculean ruck performance for Swan Districts in the 1961 WANFL Grand Final against East Perth. The fact that his opposing ruckman that day was none other than Graham ‘Polly’ Farmer, arguably the greatest player in the entire history of the game, made it all the more meritorious. Slater’s effort in overcoming Farmer - with, it has to be acknowledged, considerable help from Fred Castledine - was the single biggest reason that Swans were able to overturn both the form book and the odds and secure their first ever league premiership. Not surprisingly, he was rewarded with the Simpson Medal.

Slater played 167 games with Swan Districts, beginning in 1955, and culminating in the club’s third Grand Final win in succession in 1963. He was a regular member of West Australian interstate teams (21 appearances), and was frequently used to good effect as a centre half forward rather than in his usual position of ruckman. He played for his state at both the 1961 and 1966 carnivals, the latter while he was in his third and final year at Subiaco as captain-coach. Slater’s 52 games with the Lions gave him a career tally of 219. He won three fairest and best awards while at Swans, and came third in the Sandover Medal voting on three occasions.

The quintessential big game player, the importance of his contribution to Swan Districts’ success during the Bunton era was immense.

Besides football, Slater also excelled at cricket, representing Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield, and playing one test match for Australia. He also had the ignominious experience of being called for throwing on one occasion.

Author - John Devaney