Bulldog legend John Schulz once described the inherent goodness of football as a meeting point for people, no matter what their station in life.

I first met Chris Anstey many years ago before a training session at the Whitten Oval.

At the time, Chris was playing in the NBA for the Dallas Mavericks and was back in Australia for his off season.

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Athletes get a kick out of hanging out with other athletes and it was no different when Chris watched on as we warmed up.

It’s more commonplace these days, but Australians playing in the NBA has always been a big deal. 

A Western suburbs boy and a Bulldog supporter through and through, Chris was an obvious choice last year when it came time to scour the rolodex for guests on the Western Bulldogs podcast, Freedom in a Cage.

Chris took up the invitation and made such an impression with his passion, storytelling and Bulldog bona fides, that we just had to get him back for a second stint.

This year when Bulldog friend and documentary film maker Adrian Brown stepped away from the co-host chair because of work and family commitments, Chris’ name was the only one mentioned as a replacement.

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Over the coming season, we will get to know him a lot more, but I’ve already spent enough time with him to tell you he’s one of us and I’m proud to call him a friend.

Vouching for a guy is one thing, listening to our podcast another, but it’s a whole different bag to survive the player profile. Here he is:

Name: Chris ‘Chrisso’ Anstey
Height: 213cm or 7 feet
Career highlight: 3 X NBL Champion and being drafted into the NBA
Favourite Bulldog moment: The 2016 Premiership, of course!
Childhood hero: John McEnroe
If you were a boxer, what song would introduce you: I can’t dance - Genesis
Celebrity lookalike: Ex NBA player Brent Barry
What do you love most about the game: The way it transforms Melbourne 

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