Ben Cunnington’s no fuss, hard-nosed approach to the game has often seen him slip under the radar of footy commentators, but he’s finally getting recognition alongside some of the game’s best inside midfielders.

The midfielder is averaging a career-high 15.6 contested possessions per game in 2018, and North coach Brad Scott believes the 27-year-old deserves all the accolades that come his way.

“He would have to be in the All-Australian conversation this year,” Scott told FIVEaa.

“Being an All-Australian midfielder is difficult because there are so many of them that have had great years.

“He’s unique in what he does, I think that in terms of first possession midfielders in the competition, he’s as good as anyone.

“I don’t think I’ve seen anyone who is as clean as Ben Cunnington inside throughout my time in footy.”

It’s high praise coming from Scott, who was a member of arguably the greatest and toughest side in the history of the game.

“Simon Black and Michael Voss were pretty good, but Cunnington is absolutely top shelf when it comes to first possession and clean hands in tight.

“We’re very happy to have Ben in our side.”

Roos’ captain Jack Ziebell echoed those sentiments in a recent edition of the Powershop Players Podcast.

“I love watching Cunners,” he said.  

“Being an inside mid throughout the majority of my career, to watch where he’s come from to where he is now and what can do in the contest, I don’t think there’s a player in the competition that can go near him.

“Guys he would complete with for that mantle would be Josh Kennedy (Sydney), he’s been very good for what he’s done for ten years … Patrick Cripps, Clayton Oliver and Ollie Wines would be in a similar category, but I think Cunners has got them all covered.”