Orroroo Football Club champion Keith Slade to make 500th senior appearance
An SA country footy champion will play his 500th senior game at 49 years old this weekend after 31 years of service for one club.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
An SA country footy champion will play his 500th senior game at 49 years of age this weekend, just two weeks out from his 50th birthday.
Orroroo Football Club icon and president Keith Slade will run out for his club’s B Grade side against Southern Flinders on Saturday in his 500th appearance for the Roos.
Slade, who joined the Northern Areas club in 1993 and has since played 321 A Grade and 179 B Grade games, has been one of the greatest players in its history with a resume which speaks for itself.
A superstar in the contest at his peak, the 49-year-old stalwart has won six A Grade flags with Orroroo as well as three club best and fairests and two NAFA Mail Medals.
He also coached the club and became a life member in 2016.
“I lived more than two hours away from the club for my first 400 games but I had a passion for sport, it was the closest club to me and they took me in with open arms right from the start,” Slade said.
“It’s a really welcoming club and everyone here is super connected.
“I’ve probably had a fair bit of time to think about it now and it does feel pretty good to play 500 games for the club, especially with how many people have been messaging me with memories and congratulations.
“I’m looking forward to Saturday, it’s going to be a good event.”
Described as the type of person you want in every footy club, Slade has been one of Orroroo’s most important figures on and off the field.
He said the family vibe of the Roos is what kept him coming back for 31 years and counting.
“I’ve got a lot of great memories with the club, I was 60 kilos soaking wet when I arrived and have gone on to experience A Grade premierships and become mates with some great people.
“I met a local girl here and ended up getting married and all my kids now play at Orroroo as well.
“I have a passion for the club now and I still love being part of that family, community environment we have.”
While Slade has an impressive playing resume, he said one of his fondest memories was being president during Orroroo’s unlikely 2023 premiership.
The Roos made the last finals spot with a negative 7-9 record but went on to upset Broughton Mundoora, Crystal Brook and eventually competition power Booleroo Melrose Wilmington in the grand final.
“It was unbelievable,” Slade said.
“The club really bands together and we never get ahead of ourselves and I think that helped during that run.
“We’re on top of the ladder this year and playing really well, it’d be great to go back-to-back – it would be huge for the town but you never know what will happen in footy.”
Slade will step down as president at the end of this season, his fifth in the role.
While he is also close to hanging up the boots on a dazzling player career, the Roos champion said he’d always be available if his club needed him.
“The way I look at it I might never retire because as long as I’m at the footy and they ask me to sit on the bench for numbers I will,” Slade said.
The B Grade side will be in action from 1.05pm at Orroroo Oval and could make the 2024 finals series with a win.
REPLAYS: SANFL Girls Intrastate Carnival, Day 1
Glenelg pulled off a final-quarter comeback to snatch a late victory while out north one side proved dominant. Catch the day one REPLAYS and watch LIVE from 10.30am Wednesday.
REPLAYS: Australian Junior Hardcourt Tennis Championships, Day 6
The top seeds put on a show of collective strength to dominate the final day of one of Tennis Australia’s flagship junior tournaments. Check out all the REPLAYS from the week-long event.