If it wasn’t for Ben Cunnington, Jed Anderson says he wouldn’t be the player he is today.

After joining the Kangaroos in 2016, Anderson awards much of the credit to the No.10 for his rapid rise in North’s midfield.

“He took me under his wing early when I first came into the midfield,” Anderson told The Weekend Australian.

“I have really grown off him and learned off his game with my footy, but also with my home and work-life balance.”

Both young fathers, Anderson said Cunnington’s ability to make time for family away from the football spotlight has been significant.

“He has two kids as well and I have my two kids, so you need to really find that balance of footy and home life, and that has probably been the biggest thing for me,” Anderson said.

“Our kids enjoy their kids and our wives are really close, so we bounce off each other a fair bit.”

Cunnington, 27, plays game 200 this weekend in Hobart and is career-best form and is ranked third overall on the AFL Coaches Award.