The Collingwood Football Club extends its heartfelt condolences on the recent passing of Mark Slater, a cherished former player whose contributions to the club and the sport will always be remembered.
Mark Slater, born in 1951, was an exceptional talent from a young age. He earned the rare honor of representing Victoria in two consecutive Schoolboys’ Carnivals, first in Canberra in 1965 and then in Adelaide in 1966. His remarkable performance, including scoring 10 goals against Queensland and totaling 24 goals in the carnival, highlighted his prowess on the field and marked him as a standout junior footballer.
Mark began his football journey with Bundoora, where his impressive skills caught the attention of the Magpies. In 1968, he joined the Collingwood under-19s, quickly making an impact by becoming the leading goalkicker with 12 goals in his debut season. The following year, at just 17, Mark made his senior debut against Geelong at Victoria Park. Although primarily a second or third forward at the senior level, his ability to score consistently was evident through multiple high-scoring games, including a memorable seven-goal performance against the Carlton reserves.
Despite his talents, Mark faced fierce competition within the strong Magpie teams of his time and was released before the 1971 season. Undeterred, he continued his football career with Preston and Coburg in the Victorian Football Association (VFA), achieving significant success, including a Division 2 Premiership with Coburg. Mark’s dedication to the sport saw him return to Bundoora, where he led as captain-coach to a Diamond Valley League Division 2 premiership in 1981, also earning the competition’s best-and-fairest award that year.
The entire Collingwood community—comprising the Board, management, staff, coaches, and players—grieves the loss of Mark Slater. His legacy and contributions have left an indelible mark on the club, and our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him. Mark’s passion for football and his commitment to excellence will continue to inspire future generations of Magpies.