Former North Melbourne legend Brent Harvey says Ben Cunnington deserves to be considered in the ‘elite’ category of AFL players.

While the statistics illustrate his impact as a contested bull (he ranks fifth for ranking points along the league’s midfielders), Cunnington often doesn’t get the praise of other stars around the league.

“He’s been elite for a little bit now and people are just starting to give him the accolades he deserves,” Harvey told The Herald Sun.

“His efficiency would be pretty good by hand, he’s very hard to tackle and he’s a tackling machine as well.

“The thing is, a lot of people just see him this year … Ben has been a good player now for about six years, I reckon. A really good player.”

Cunnington averages 29 disposals a game throughout 2019, more than several of the favourites for the Brownlow Medal, and is ranked ‘elite’ by Champion Data for contested possessions and clearances.

“He does the work that doesn’t get acknowledged outside the football club,” Harvey said.

“Other people see the goalkickers, they don’t see the tough stuff that Ben is doing. If you watch the games closely, gee, he is going well.

“He might have got more accolades on an outside basis if he played for a bigger club but we are pretty happy with him at North Melbourne.”

Hawthorn champion Dermott Brereton said he had no doubt Cunnington would end his career as a one-club player.

“Even if they throw the world at you, they’d have to give you reincarnated Chris Judd to get him out of there,” Brereton said on SEN.

“He’s worth that much to the team in the way he not just plays, but who he is in that team.

“He’s a heart and soul player, that’s the fabric.”