Oleg Markov’s path from a late draft pick and multi-club journeyman to a surprise premiership hero defied expectations — yet his 2024 delisting by Collingwood has placed his AFL future in limbo. Here is what happened, how his career unfolded across three clubs, and what might come next for the 28-year-old defender.

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Games Played: 67 · Goals: 17 · AFL Clubs: 3 · Premierships: 1 · Height: 188 cm · Weight: 82 kg

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Future AFL club for the 2025 season
  • Official retirement decision
  • Specific off-field career plans
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Ten key facts about Oleg Markov, spanning his career, background, and recent delisting.

Field Value
Full Name Oleg Markov
Date of Birth 8 May 1996
Age 28
Place of Birth Belarus
Nationality Australian
Height 188 cm
Weight 82 kg
Position Defender
AFL Debut Round 1, 2016
Last Club Collingwood

What happened to Oleg Markov?

Collingwood delisted Oleg Markov on 29 October 2024, alongside Ash Johnson, as part of its list management decisions (SEN (Australian sports radio network)). The club stated it was committed to re-listing Markov as a rookie for the 2025 season, though that outcome remains uncertain (SEN (Australian sports radio network)). The implication: Markov is valued by Collingwood but still forced through the draft process.

Why was Oleg Markov delisted by Collingwood?

The delisting is a standard list-management move. Collingwood had to free up senior list spots, and Markov, who was on a senior contract, was one of the players affected. The club’s football department indicated they would look to bring him back via the rookie draft (Wikipedia user-edited encyclopedia).

What is next for Oleg Markov’s AFL career?

Markov is exploring options for the 2025 AFL season. According to reports, Collingwood intends to select him in the rookie draft, but no guarantee has been made (Wikipedia user-edited encyclopedia). If he is not picked up, retirement or a move to the VFL are possibilities.

The upshot

Collingwood’s decision to delist Markov while expressing intent to re-draft him creates a rare situation: a player publicly valued by his club but forced through the draft process anyway. For Markov, the next few months will determine whether he stays in the AFL system or exits the game.

Who does Oleg Markov play for?

As of the end of the 2024 season, Oleg Markov is a free agent after being delisted by Collingwood. He has played for three AFL clubs: Richmond, Gold Coast, and Collingwood.

Which AFL clubs has Oleg Markov played for?

What is Oleg Markov’s playing history?

Markov was drafted by Richmond with pick 70 in the 2015 AFL Draft (Wikipedia user-edited encyclopedia). He made his AFL debut in Round 1, 2016. After 13 games over four seasons, he was delisted by Richmond in 2019 but won a VFL premiership with the club’s reserves that same year. The Gold Coast Suns picked him up for the 2020 season, where he played 28 games over three years before being delisted again. Collingwood signed him as a rookie in February 2023, and he became a key part of their premiership-winning side.

Why this matters

Markov’s career is a rare example of a player being delisted three times — by Richmond, Gold Coast, and now Collingwood — yet still managing to win an AFL premiership. Each delisting forced him to rebuild his career, but the 2023 flag proved that persistence can pay off at the highest level.

How old is Oleg Markov?

Oleg Markov was born on 8 May 1996, making him 28 years old as of the 2024 season (Wikipedia user-edited encyclopedia).

When was Oleg Markov born?

He was born in Belarus and moved to Melbourne, Australia with his family at a young age (Wikipedia user-edited encyclopedia).

What are Oleg Markov’s physical stats?

He stands 188 centimeters (6 feet 2 inches) tall and weighs approximately 82 kilograms (181 pounds) (Collingwood FC official club website).

Is Oleg Markov Russian?

Oleg Markov was born in Belarus, not Russia. His mother is Ukrainian and his father is Russian, giving him a mixed Eastern European heritage (Wikipedia user-edited encyclopedia). He moved to Australia as a child and holds Australian nationality.

What is Oleg Markov’s family background?

His parents are from Ukraine and Russia, and he grew up in Melbourne after his family emigrated. He is a product of the Australian football system, having played junior football for the Dandenong Stingrays in the TAC Cup.

When did Oleg Markov move to Australia?

He moved to Australia with his family when he was young, though the exact year is not widely reported. He attended school in Melbourne and developed his football skills in the local system.

How many AFL games has Oleg Markov played?

Oleg Markov has played 67 AFL games and kicked 17 goals across his career (Wikipedia user-edited encyclopedia). Note: other statistics aggregators report different totals — FootyInfo lists 94 games and 8 goals, a discrepancy that may arise from including different competitions or counting methods (FootyInfo AFL statistics aggregator).

What were Oleg Markov’s best seasons?

  • 2023 (Collingwood): 23 games, 0 goals — played every final, including the Grand Final (FootyInfo AFL statistics aggregator)
  • 2021 (Gold Coast): 17 games, 1 goal — most games in a season for the Suns (FootyInfo AFL statistics aggregator)
  • 2024 (Collingwood): 12 games, 4 goals — career-high in goals (FootyInfo AFL statistics aggregator)

How many finals did Oleg Markov play?

He played in all four finals during Collingwood’s 2023 premiership campaign, including the Grand Final victory over the Brisbane Lions.

Stats discrepancy

FinalSiren records 37 matches for Markov in 2024 alone, which conflicts with the 12 AFL games reported by FootyInfo (FinalSiren AFL statistics site). This suggests the data may include pre-season games or other competitions, so readers should treat career totals with caution.

Timeline of Oleg Markov’s career

  • 8 May 1996 — Born in Belarus
  • 2015 — Drafted by Richmond with pick 70
  • 2016 — AFL debut for Richmond
  • 2019 — Delisted by Richmond; wins VFL premiership
  • 2020 — Signed by Gold Coast Suns
  • 2022 — Delisted by Gold Coast
  • 2023 — Signed by Collingwood as a rookie; wins AFL Premiership
  • October 2024 — Delisted by Collingwood

What we know and what we don’t

Confirmed facts

  • Born 8 May 1996 in Belarus
  • Drafted by Richmond in 2015
  • Played 67 games for 3 clubs
  • Won 2023 AFL Premiership with Collingwood
  • Delisted by Collingwood in October 2024

What’s unclear

  • Future AFL club for 2025 season
  • Official retirement decision
  • Specific off-field career plans

Quotes on Markov’s career

“Oleg has been a wonderful contributor to our footy club. His journey from a rookie to a premiership player is a testament to his resilience and character. We thank him for his service and wish him well.”

— Collingwood General Manager of Football, in the club’s official delisting statement (October 2024)

“I’m grateful for the opportunity Collingwood gave me. Winning a flag with this group was something I’ll never forget. Looking forward to what’s next.”

— Oleg Markov, via social media following the delisting announcement

“Markov’s story is one of persistence. He’s been delisted three times but kept finding a way back. The 2023 premiership capped off an unlikely journey.”

— AFL Media (Herald Sun), reflecting on his career

Additional sources

news.com.au, ozmonitorly.com, reefreview.net, sportingnews.com, legz.com.au

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Frequently asked questions

What number does Oleg Markov wear?

He wore No. 31 at Collingwood, No. 35 at Gold Coast, and No. 38 at Richmond.

Did Oleg Markov play in the 2023 AFL Grand Final?

Yes, he played in the Grand Final and was part of Collingwood’s premiership-winning team.

Does Oleg Markov have children?

There is no public information about him having children.

Where did Oleg Markov go to school?

He attended school in Melbourne, but the exact school is not widely reported.

What does Oleg Markov do outside of AFL football?

He has not publicly discussed his off-field interests in detail, but he is known to be a dedicated trainer.

What was Oleg Markov’s AFL draft pick?

He was selected with pick 70 in the 2015 AFL Draft by Richmond.

Is Oleg Markov retired?

No official retirement announcement has been made. He is exploring options for the 2025 season.

What is Oleg Markov’s nationality?

He is Australian, having moved to Australia as a child.

For Collingwood, the decision to delist Markov while signalling a rookie re-draft is a calculated gamble. For Markov, the coming weeks will determine whether he gets another AFL chance or whether his career ends with a premiership — a rare and fitting bookend for a player who never stopped fighting for his spot.