SLATER, Arthur "Syd"

Arthur "Syd" Slater came from Gisborne and started as a half-forward and full-forward before moving to defence.

He kicked four goals on debut in Round 1, 1935 in a big win over Melbourne. It was his best goalkicking effort of his Essendon career. He played in 25 games in his first two seasons but made fewer appearances as time went on.

Slater used his weight fearlessly but fairly, and he won Essendon Seconds Best and Fairest award in 1938.

After leaving Essendon, he played 39 games with North Melbourne between 1940 and 1945 and then joined Brunswick in 1946.

A policeman like team-mate Ted Rippon, Slater rose to the rank of Superintendent in the Victoria Police Force and was awarded the Queens Police Medal for gallantry or distinguished service in 1970.

He died on 8th March, 1994.