[5] In 1953, having begun playing for Mount Hawthorn in the Metropolitan Junior Football Association (MJFA), he was selected in representative side to tour Victoria.
[4] Joining his brother in the team, Marinko made his senior debut for West Perth against East Fremantle in round one of the 1954 season, having replaced the injured Brian Falconer.
In particular, Marinko noted an incident where he was demoted to the reserves team after missing a game to attend his best friend's wedding, despite having obtained the permission of coach Frank Sparrow.
Although Don Marinko was replaced as coach by former Footscray player Arthur Olliver for the 1960 season, both brothers played key parts in West Perth's premiership victory over East Perth, with Ray Marinko considered a leading candidate for the Simpson Medal which was eventually awarded to Brian Foley.
After his retirement, Marinko became involved in the refrigeration business, with his company pioneering a particular method of cold storage for apples.