kangaroos.com.au speaks with North Melbourne youngster Ben Cunnington on the eve of his AFL debut.
How are you feeling?
Not too bad actually. I thought I’d be more nervous than what I am. I’ve just been trying to keep my mind off the game. I just went and saw my parents and had dinner with the boys.
How are your parents feeling?
They are probably more excited than me. Mum and Dad are so stoked. They’ve been trying hard just to get me here so they are just over the moon. And now I’m finally here so they’re pretty rapt.
Did they give you any advice?
They don’t give me a heap of advice. They just support me with everything. Dad told me just to think of it like it’s a normal game.
What are you like with your nerves?
Generally the night before a game I’m alright, but when I’m heading to the game that’s when the nerves come on. I’ve always been pretty nervous before the game because I’m so passionate about my footy, but tomorrow I’ll be extra nervous.
What do you do to try and take your mind off things?
It’s hard tonight because there are two games of footy on so it makes me a bit toey. Once I cross that line tomorrow the nerves will go away but I’m not sure how it’ll be with the national anthem and the ANZAC day ceremony.
Did you ever think you’d be making your debut in Tassie?
You just assume you’re going to debut in Melbourne I suppose, but the reality is you just sort of end up anywhere. A debut is a debut. It really doesn’t matter where you are; it’s great just to play AFL.
What do you want to achieve in tomorrow’s match?
The main thing for me is to get all the structures and make sure I’m standing in the right places during the game. I’ve talked to Darren Crocker and Brad Scott and a few players and they’ve all told me just to get my starting points right…after that, they said to just have a crack and play it like a normal game.
Does your reputation as being hard at it add any pressure?
Not really. I’ve played senior footy before and with the rules, it’s not like you can’t get killed out there. If you go in half-hearted that’s when you do get hurt.
Do the bigger bodies worry you at all?
They’re a bit bigger than me, but I’m not intimidated. I’m sure I’ll find out tomorrow after a few good hits. I’ve played against men, but I’m not sure how I’ll go diving in with these guys.
Do you have any pre-game rituals?
I don’t do anything really out of the ordinary. I just try and do everything right in the warm-up and once I cross the line, that’s when I get white-line fever.
