Cunnington.
With a tough, never say die attitude that perfectly complements a hard-nosed, contested style of football, the No.10 is about to add another chapter to be added to an already storied career.
After 273 days, he’s back.
“We all just feed off of Cunners,” Luke Davies-Uniacke told North Media.
“He does a lot of the muscle work in there which lets me, 'Jyza' (Jy Simpkin) and 'Jedda' (Jed Anderson) get in space.
“He drags defenders away from us and still beats them.
“He’s one of the best in the AFL at that sort of thing. He’s just a beast.”
Midfield coach Jordan Russell told North Media he can’t wait to have the 29-year at his disposal.
“He’s been such a dominant clearance and stoppage player for so many years … you can’t underestimate the impact he has,” Russell said.
“To not have him out there hurts you from not only a team point of view, but it also hurts the kids from a development point of view.
“The impact he has on the young kids coming through with his voice, leadership and just being able to go about his business … it’ll be great to have him back.”
Shades of Davies-Uniacke’s game can be traced to Cunnington, with the young midfielder saying he owes him a lot both on and off the field.
“When I first got to the club he was the first guy I looked up to,” Davies-Uniacke told North Media.
“He’s always been, and still is, my mentor and the guy I go to if I need anything. He’s so trustworthy and gives you all he can. He’s the first bloke I count on.
“I’m lucky enough to have the locker next to him, and he’s always been amazing for me and gives me advice about anything I ask for on and off the field.”
Davies-Uniacke is aware that he is not the only player who will benefit from the return of the two-time Syd Barker Medallist.
He says the whole midfield is champing at the bit to run out there with Cunnington for the first time this season.
