After registering a second placed finish in the Syd Barker Medal on Friday night, Ben Cunnington has once again hammered home the fact he is an all-time champion of the North Melbourne Football Club.

While he oozes class and composure on the football field, Cunnington means more than he could possibly imagine not just to the group of young players he’s helping to nurture, but to the football club as a whole.

Seeing him back on the field in 2021 was a joy to behold for not just Kangaroos’ supporters, but for fans across the AFL, and he put together one of the best seasons of an already incredible career.

“I don’t think I’m wrong in saying he’s one of the all-time greats of North Melbourne’s history … Ben Cunnington the player and Ben Cunnington the person, I couldn’t speak more highly of him,” teammate Luke McDonald said.

“Obviously he’s a bit quiet in the media, but his influence on the club, we talk about how much all the young guys have improved, that’s because ‘Cunners’ puts in the hours with them behind the scenes.

“He’s just a role model for all the boys with how close he is with his family, and he’s just the epitome of a Shinboner.

“I don’t have the words. He’s just an absolute superstar player, and a dad as well.”

After missing the final four games of the season due to the removal of a tumour, the club and its fans rallied around the midfield maestro.

“It more than I expected. You think you’re a bit more alone, but everyone from the top of the club to the fans stuck at home, it (their support) has been huge,” Cunnington said.

“Just to have that support from the club, the players and my beautiful family, I couldn’t have done it without them.

“It helps me smile and makes me want to continue playing for this great club. It means more than I’ve ever thought.”

With the likes of young midfielders Will Phillips, Tom Powell, Luke Davies-Uniacke and Jy Simpkin benefitting from the tutelage of Cunnington, both on and off the field, there’s no doubt we’ll be seeing hallmarks of his game in the side for years to come.

He says after a refreshing 2021 season, he’s excited for what the future holds for this young playing group.

“I had a fair stint on the sidelines, so it was good to be back, especially with the refreshment of the coaches and some of the young guys coming through kept me on my toes,” Cunnington added. 

“It was refreshing to get back out there and play after 2020 … I enjoyed my footy this year, so it was nice to start making some movements in that second half [of the season].

“I’m a bit embarrassed because I don’t want to take any attention away from the winner. I love working with the younger guys, and it drives me every day.

“It means a lot to hopefully contribute to them in any way to [help] get us back to where we belong.”