By Chris Lees | 10th Jun 2015
North Mackay Saints stalwart Chris Dunbar will hit an incredible milestone this year. The 43-year-old will play his 450th game for his beloved Saints before the season is over.
"I'm feeling pretty good about it actually, it's been a long time coming," Dunbar said.
"I think I started in about 1989 when I was only 18."
Dunbar played in the top league of the Mackay competition but now plays in the reserves team.
"This year has been a bit harder than normal but I'm still enjoying it, which is a good thing," he said.
"I've been playing ressies (reserves) for a few years now."
CD, as he's known at the club, fell into Aussie Rules through a friend.
"I knew nothing of AFL, that's the funny thing about it, I hadn't played a game until I moved to town (from Carmila) for work," he said.
"My mate was playing and he said 'come out and have a game' so I played one game and haven't stopped since.
"I haven't got the skills of a lot of the blokes because I didn't play juniors, but I just love it and enjoy getting out there and having a run around."
Dunbar said he had been pretty lucky during his time with the Saints.
"We won three in a row back in 2001, 2002 and 2003 and then I won one in 2008, so I think I've won four senior premierships and three reserve grade ones," he said.
"I'm pretty lucky because I've had some guys come up from down south and they've played their whole life but not won any premierships."
Dunbar said the team through the 2000s was a strong side with a good bond between the players.
"It's a great club, it's always been a family club."
"The kids who were juniors when I started playing have grown up and now they've got kids playing now, so I've really seen the club grow, it's been really good," he added.
Vital statistics
Position: Used to play in the ruck, now plays centre half and full forward.
Age: 43.
Debut: 1989 at 18.
Photo by Lee Constable
Last Modified on 29/06/2015 10:54