Midfielder Ben Cunnington says he will enter the season with greater confidence after a stellar 2014 campaign and believes his best is yet to come.

The 23-year-old averaged 22 disposals in his 25 appearances for North last season, taking out his first Syd Barker Medal.

Cunnington said he is expecting more attention from rival sides this year and will relish taking on more responsibility in the midfield.

“Everyone in this industry is competitive and has that nature, so I definitely enjoy that and I’m looking forward to more challenges this year and stepping up,” Cunnington told NMFC.com.au on Monday.

“I feel I can definitely get a lot better so it’s exciting – it keeps me motivated.”

The 185cm on-baller said he took advantage of the absence of skipper Andrew Swallow and midfielder Jack Ziebell during the early rounds of last season.

“I definitely felt it put more responsibility on me, but I don’t mind that,” he said.

“I suppose that made me either go one way or the other, and I felt I took it on.”

Cunnington attributes his breakout season to a higher level of “self-belief” in his ability and an improved fitness base.

The pressure component has also been an area of attention in recent years; Cunnington amassed a career-high tackle count of 140 last season, surpassing his previous best of 107 in 2012.

In addition to fine-tuning his outside game, the number 10 said he is aiming to improve his general field running and will strive to further contribute on the scoreboard.

“I’ve never been the strongest runner and I’ve also been looking at my running patterns,” he said.

“I feel like I’ve gotten a lot smarter with that rather than just running around like a headless chook.

“(If I can) also get forward a little more as a midfielder and kick a few more goals this year, I feel I can become more dangerous.”

While it was a rewarding year on a personal front, Cunnington said playing in the finals was the highlight of his year.

“That first final against Essendon, the massive crowd, the close game and coming from behind (to win) – that’s every boy’s dream,” he said.

“That was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had.

“You can go and watch the Grand Final and you can’t even imagine how exciting that’d be and that’s what drives you to get there.”