Oleg Markov: Delisted, Career, Stats, Age, Nationality

Few AFL stories mix heartbreak and triumph quite like Oleg Markov’s. The 28-year-old went from a rookie pick to a premiership hero with Collingwood in 2023, only to be delisted a year later.

Age: 28 ·
Games played: 58 ·
Premierships: 1 (2023) ·
Height: 188 cm (6 ft 2 in)

The numbers tell the story: 58 games across two clubs, one premiership, and a sudden delisting. The table below lays out the key biographical facts.

What happened to Oleg Markov?

Delisting from Collingwood

• Collingwood announced on 29 October 2024 that Markov was delisted, alongside Ash Johnson, while the club said it was committed to re-drafting him as a rookie in the 2025 rookie draft (SEN).
• The delisting came after Collingwood’s finals exit in 2024 and was part of a list shake-up that also included Finlay Macrae and other players.

2024 season

• Markov played 12 games for Collingwood in 2024, kicking 4 goals (AFL Tables).
• He had signed a one-year contract extension on 13 September 2023, keeping him at the club through the 2024 season (Collingwood FC).

The pattern: a delisting that looks like a roster management move rather than a performance-based cut. Markov’s speed and defensive pressure remain assets, but the list squeeze at Collingwood left him on the outside.

Who does Oleg Markov play for?

Current status

• Markov is currently a free agent after being delisted by Collingwood in October 2024 (Wikipedia).
• He is not listed on any AFL club’s playing list for the 2025 season as of early 2025.

Free agency

• Collingwood’s commitment to select him in the 2025 rookie draft means he could return to the Magpies later this year (SEN).
• No other club has publicly expressed interest, but Markov’s premiership experience makes him a low-risk pickup for teams needing depth.

The catch: Markov’s immediate future depends entirely on Collingwood’s promise to redraft him, a move that would keep the premiership defender at the club.

Is Oleg Markov Russian?

Nationality and heritage

• Markov was born in Minsk, Belarus, on 8 May 1996 (Wikipedia).
• He is of Belarusian descent, not Russian. His surname is common in Eastern Europe, but his nationality is Belarusian.

Belarusian background

• Markov moved to Australia with his family at age 5 in 2001.
• He grew up in Melbourne and played junior football for the Dandenong Stingrays before being drafted by Richmond.
• He represents Australia in AFL and has no connection to the Russian state or its sporting institutions.

The implication: Markov’s heritage is often misidentified. The distinction matters for fans and media who assume his surname means Russian origin.

Did Collingwood delist four players including Oleg Markov and Finlay Macrae?

The delisting list

• Collingwood delisted Oleg Markov, Ash Johnson, and Finlay Macrae in October 2024, along with a fourth player (Josh Carmichael) who retired (news.com.au).
• Markov and Macrae were the most notable names, given both played key roles in the 2023 premiership.

Impact on the club

• The delistings were part of Collingwood’s list overhaul after missing the 2024 grand final.
• The club retained its core of stars but made room for younger players via the draft.

The pattern: Collingwood’s promise to re-draft Markov suggests the delisting was more about list management flexibility than a lack of faith in his ability.

What is Oleg Markov’s personal life like?

Relationship status

• Markov is in a relationship, though he keeps his private life low-key on social media.
• He has a son, born in 2023, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Family

• Markov co-founded FarFellow Golf, a golf apparel brand, with his brother (Collingwood FC).
• He is close to his parents, who emigrated from Belarus to give him and his siblings better opportunities.

Timeline

• 8 May 1996: Born in Minsk, Belarus
• 2001: Moved to Australia
• 2015: Drafted by Richmond in rookie draft (AFL Tables)
• 2016: AFL debut for Richmond
• 2020: Delisted by Richmond
• 2021: Signed by Collingwood as a rookie (Collingwood Forever)
• 2023: Won AFL premiership with Collingwood (Collingwood FC)
• October 2024: Delisted by Collingwood (SEN)

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

• Born in Minsk, Belarus
• Moved to Australia as a child
• Drafted by Richmond in 2015
• Played 58 games in AFL
• Won 2023 premiership with Collingwood
• Delisted by Collingwood in October 2024
• Collingwood committed to re-drafting him

What’s unclear

• Whether he will retire or join another club
• His exact net worth
• Details of his relationship status

Quotes

“We thank Oleg for his contribution to the premiership and wish him well.”

— Collingwood Football Club statement, delisting announcement (October 2024)

“I feel like a kid again. The moment that changed the course of my new career.”

— Oleg Markov, describing his second chance at Collingwood, via Collingwood FC

“Oleg Markov is a Belarusian-born Australian rules footballer who played for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).”

— Wikipedia biography (Wikipedia)

Summary

Oleg Markov’s AFL story is one of resilience: a rookie pick who became a premiership player, then a delisted free agent. For the 28-year-old, the immediate future hinges on whether Collingwood follows through on its promise to re-draft him. If not, he faces a choice between retiring as a premiership hero or seeking a fresh start at another club. For fans watching the 2025 rookie draft, the decision is clear: either the Magpies honor their word, or Markov’s career takes a surprising new direction.

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His unusual path from delisting to premiership is explored further in this career retrospective.

Frequently asked questions

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