Many players can pinpoint a defining moment in their careers; a time when something clicked or an opportunity arose and their fortunes changed as a result for the better.

For Ben Cunnington, that instance occurred mid-way through 2012, when Jack Ziebell was rubbed out for four weeks after colliding with Carlton’s Aaron Joseph.

"You don't always wish on someone to get reported, especially one of our better midfielders, but it gave me another opportunity to come back into the senior team," Cunnington told the Hobart Mercury’s Brett Stubbs.

"You only get so many chances and this time was a really good opportunity for me to step up with one of our main guys down in the midfield.”

The No.5 2009 draft pick produced some outstanding footy for North late in the season and relished more responsibility in Ziebell’s absence.

"It gave me the chance to get a few clearances and try and play my footy rather than worrying too much about the outcomes and whether I'm buggering up or what not.

"I just tried to come in and play football without worrying about too much else.”

When Ziebell returned a month later, Cunnington showed no signs of dropping off.

"We got a couple of games together. It was still good to be part of that midfield with him in it."

The 21-year-old struggled to come to terms with the pace of the game when he arrived at Aegis Park and had set the bar to perform a little high, too early.

"I've always got high expectations of myself to perform well and help the team out as much as possible so I was a bit disappointed with not having much impact in the game," he said.

"But the coaches and players had great faith in me.

"I kept getting games, kept working on the areas I needed to improve and finally started to come around a little bit and feel more comfortable and more at home."

With just one win from five attempts so far this year, Cunnington believes the Roos will start their climb up the ladder come Saturday against an undefeated Port Adelaide in Hobart.

"Looking at those four losses they are all against good teams," he said.

"We did have our opportunities to win most of those games, but at the end of the day we are 1-4 and that's reality.

"We've got to do a few things turn that around, but we're still confident we can and we are definitely still looking at playing in September.

"Our hopes are still alive for sure."