Ben Cunnington has once again proved why he’s one of the best midfielders in the competition after collecting 23 contested possessions against Hawthorn on Sunday.

The 27-year-old racked-up 20-plus contested possessions for the second time in as many weeks, taking his career tally to 15; the most in North Melbourne history.

Andrew Swallow and Jack Ziebell are next best, having recorded 20 or more hard-ball-gets in just two games.

League-wide this season, Cunnington ranks second for contested possessions per game averaging 20.67, and sits between Carlton’s Patrick Cripps and Brisbane’s Lachie Neale.

In his tenth season, the midfielder has been spending more time inside forward 50, but still manages to be one of the competition’s premier clearance players.

After three rounds, Cunnington is ranked fourth in clearances, averaging 9; a career-high.

He has also produced the most handballs averaging 23.67.

The combination of Cunnington and fellow midfielder and Shaun Higgins continues to flourish, with Higgins doing all he can to earn a second All-Australian jacket.

Higgins accumulated 36 disposals on Sunday, an impressive follow-up to his 38 touches the week before.

The dual Syd Barker Medallist is ranked sixth in total disposals, and third in total uncontested possessions.