Ex-Cat Ray Card pleads guilty to culpable driving causing death

Former Geelong footballer Ray Card has pleaded guilty over the death of his partner in a crash on the Geelong Ring Road last year.

Former Geelong footballer Ray Card has admitted responsibility to killing his partner in a horror crash on the Geelong Ring Road last year.

Raymond Donald Card, 68, fronted the Geelong Magistrates Court for a committal mention hearing on Tuesday.

It was the first time the Grovedale man had appeared in person over the matter and he was joined by several supporters.

Ray Card at the funeral of his partner Mandy McDonald.

Card had been charged with numerous offences over the November 16 crash, which claimed the life of his long-term partner, 57-year-old Mandy McDonald.

Mr Card and Ms McDonald were travelling in a Ford Ranger when it collided with a BMW carrying a 23-year-old Lara man and a 19-year-old Lovely Banks woman on the Geelong Ring Road at Lara.

Upon the matter being called, his lawyer, Tony Hargreaves, told the court the matter had resolved – Card would plead to two charges, culpable driving causing death and negligently causing serious injury.

Ray Card in his best-and-fairest winning year, 1983. Picture: BOB GARTLAND COLLECTION

Culpable driving causing death carries a maximum penalty of 20 years jail.

Another six charges were withdrawn by the prosecution and struck out by magistrate Peter Mellas as part of the resolution.

After the charges were finalised, Card stood and Mr Mellas read him a committal caution, before asking how he pleaded.

“Guilty your honour,” Card said.

No details of the incident were aired during the procedural hearing, but the hand up brief was tendered.

Following his plea, Card was granted fresh bail and the matter was listed in the County Court at Geelong in the circuit starting July 7.

Ray Card leaves Geelong Court after pleading guilty to culpable driving causing the death of his partner.

After entering his bail, Card avoided questions from the media as he left the courthouse, before being bundled into a black Mercedes.

The son of a Geelong player, Ray Card played 110 games for the club between 1977 and 1987, winning the Carji Greeves medal in 1983.

Following his playing career, Card’s involvement with the club continued and he became president of the club’s Past Players and Officials Association.

Originally published as Ex-Cat Ray Card pleads guilty to culpable driving causing death