After a relatively slow start to the season in Round 1, Ben Cunnington rediscovered his 2018 form on Sunday, recording an impressive 36 disposals.
It was the 27-year-old’s third highest disposal count in his ten seasons in the league, and one that almost got his side across the line.
“There were some reasonable performances through the midfield,” midfield coach Darren Crocker told North members in an exclusive member-only video.
“I thought Ben Cunnington was just outstanding with 22 contested ball wins and 36 touches.
“He was really trying to will us over the line.”
The 22 contested disposals was the fourth-most in Cunnington’s career, and despite a slow start to the match, came to life when it mattered.
After just five disposals in the first term, the hard-nosed midfielder bounced back in the second quarter, recording 12 disposals, before collecting 19 in the second half.
Cunnington added a goal to his stat-sheet in the final quarter, slotting a one-step snap from an acute angle.
Despite the Roos’ disappointing loss, the midfielder was acknowledged by some of the game’s most respected voices.
The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph gave Cunnington two votes behind Brisbane’s Lachie Neale, while The Age ranked him as the second best player on the field alongside teammates Shaun Higgins and Aaron Hall.
Cunnington also featured in the team of the week by AFL Player Ratings.
