Some AFL players may be looking to protect their bodies with a long season ahead, but North Melbourne’s number 10 is different. For him, training as you play is paramount.
“…each session I go out, I try to get something out of it,” he told NMFC.com.au.
“That means going full strength, so that’s what I have to do.”
The 21-year old is renowned by team-mates and coaches for his professionalism and work-ethic, with his efforts at training recently described by Drew Petrie as ‘amazing’.
Last year his attitude began to pay off on the field, and now Cunnington is determined to have an even greater impact on the game with consistency his main focus.
“I definitely want to build on last year. I took a fair bit of confidence out of that later part of the season, and hopefully now I can start out in the NAB Cup and round one, as a consistent player in the AFL.”
More time in the midfield could be on the cards too, though the highly-rated youngster is the first to admit fitness is an area he needs to continually develop.
“My running is always my main area to focus on improving. If I can get my running up there with the other guys a bit better, it will definitely help my game.
“I have noticed I’m feeling a lot more fit and strong with a few pre-seasons under my belt now. I’m definitely feeling good.”
The last few months of training have been gruelling, but with just three weeks remaining until the NAB Cup, Cunnington is ready to put his hard work into action.
“This year has been a solid pre-season, probably a bit more calculated though. Shorter sessions but the intensity has really been up.
“I’m very excited to get started. The next couple of weeks the boys will be getting pretty excited to get out there and see the results of how we’ve been training and see where we’re at.”
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