Simon Katich leads tributes to incredible Aussie sportsman Keith Slater who died this week leaving a legacy in Test cricket and footy

Former Australian Test cricketer and Swan Districts football legend Keith Slater has passed away at the age of 89 after a long illness. 

Slater was one of Western Australia’s most accomplished multi-sport athletes, excelling in cricket, Australian rules football, and baseball.

Tributes have flowed following Slater’s passing, including a touching interview on SEN with former Australian cricketer Simon Katich who reflected on Slater’s role in Slater-Gartrell Sports during his formative years.

‘It was like a second home for me in those late teenage years when I started to play grade cricket for Midland,’ Katich said.

‘Every Monday and Friday I would be having a hit with Garty in the store. 

‘Even though Garty was the one that was coaching me, Spud was always there to offer support and chat and give time and his experience. 

‘He was a wonderful man and just to be able to have that opportunity to play and train at such a facility at such a young age and have their guidance, two guys that have had success not only for Midland, but also for WA and then Spud obviously playing footy and cricket and playing for Australia.’

‘I look back on all that period in my life and think I was very, very blessed to have that guidance from both of them. It’s just really sad for Spud.’

Born in Western Australia in 1936, Slater was a talented all-rounder in cricket. 

A right-arm fast-medium bowler and hard-hitting batsman, he was also skilled in off-spin. 

He played 61 first-class matches for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield between 1955 and 1963, amassing 2198 runs and taking 140 wickets.

Slater’s Test debut for Australia came in the 1958-59 Ashes series, where he became the first West Australian to play in an Ashes Test. 

He played in the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, taking the wickets of English stars Peter May and Ted Dexter. 

However, concerns over his bowling action meant he was not selected for another Test match. He was later called for throwing while playing against New South Wales.

Despite his brief international cricket career, Slater remained a key player for Western Australia, recording a first-class century against Queensland and maintaining an average of 21 with the bat.

Slater was equally successful in Australian rules football, playing 166 games for Swan Districts and kicking 199 goals. 

He won three WAFL premierships with the club, including the famous 1961 victory against East Perth, where he helped curb the influence of legendary ruckman Graham ‘Polly’ Farmer. 

Playing with a broken rib, Slater’s performance earned him the Simpson Medal as the best player in the grand final.

Swan Districts went on to complete a hat-trick of premierships from 1961 to 1963, with Slater playing a key role. 

He also represented Western Australia in state football 21 times, captaining the side on three occasions, and was instrumental in WA’s historic win at the 1961 Australian Football Carnival in Brisbane.

In 1964, Slater made a surprise move to Subiaco, where he became captain-coach for three seasons, playing 52 games. 

He returned to Swan Districts in 1967 before retiring from football with a total of 239 games and 257 goals. His outstanding contributions to football were recognized when he was named in the Swan Districts Team of the Century.

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

Off the field, Slater made a lasting impact on Western Australian sport. He co-founded Slater-Gartrell Sports with his great friend Kevin Gartrell, establishing one of the state’s most well-known sporting businesses. 

He was also a regular presence in WA sports media, serving as a commentator for both cricket and football on radio and television for several decades.

A stalwart of the Midland-Guildford Cricket Club, Slater played a major role in the annual Lilac Hill festival match, helping promote the game in Western Australia. He also served on the board of the Western Australian Institute of Sport for several years.

In 2020, he was recognized for his contributions to sport when he was made a Member of the Order of Australia. The honour acknowledged his significant service to cricket, Australian rules football, and baseball in Western Australia.

David Templeman, Minister for Culture & the Arts, Sport & Recreation, International Education, and Heritage, also paid tribute to the champion WA sportsman.

 ‘Saddened to hear of the passing of Keith Slater, one of WA’s greatest sportsmen. Keith played Test cricket for Australia and won three league premierships for Swan Districts. He also excelled in AFL and enjoyed a game of baseball. My thoughts are with his family at this time,’ he posted.

The Midland Junction Amateur Football Club highlighted Slater’s legacy, recalling that he began his senior football career with the club in 1954 before being recruited by Swan Districts. 

He won the club’s fairest and best award three times and was instrumental in the team’s WAFL success in the early 1960s.