KOONDROOK recruit and two-time Carlton premiership player Mario Bortolotto has died after a short illness, aged 65.

The Blues defender's 30 games included the club's David Parkin-coached 1981 and 1982 premierships.

Recruited to Carlton after 14 senior appearances for Geelong through 1979 and 1980, Bortolotto first piqued the Blues’ interest when he kept Mark Maclure in check in a match-winning...