With over 200 games and a pair of club best and fairest awards, it could be easy to cruise through training, but that’s not in Ben Cunnington’s personality.
Arguably a once in a generation inside-midfield talent, the recognition Cunnington deserves outside the walls of Arden Street has often been absent, but he’s helping North Melbourne’s next generation of midfielders put themselves in a position to thrive.
There’s nobody in a better position to see this than midfield coach Jordan Russell, with the young coach waxing lyrical about Cunnington’s influence on North’s young players.
Russell says Cunnington’s selfless personality both on and off the park is a huge advantage to have around such a young group of players.
“My experience with him so far this year is he’s really open to helping these guys,” Russell said during the latest Member Q&A, presented by AIA.
“He wants to help them get better and fast-track their development … he’s learning and growing on the best way to deliver that to the younger boys.
“It’s great to see him come back after a bit of a layoff last year and start to put some really strong performances together.”
One of the strongest aspects of Cunnington’s game is undoubtedly the physical strength and brute force he can apply in the contest.
While some of North’s younger talents are yet to reach those levels of pure physical power, Russell says the expertise North’s number 10 is imposing on them will not just help them in 2021, but also beyond.
“Unfortunately, the Tom Powell’s and Tarryn Thomas’ of the world don’t quite have his strengths yet to be able to do the same sort of things he can do,” he said.
“What he teaches them is the little technical elements of how you do actually use your body work. The timing of when to get to a spot to get that clearance.
“Obviously the big one having the voice and connection with the ruckman to be able to organise and structure what you want from your midfield group.”
“He’s been fantastic.”
To hear Russell discuss his journey to North, his coaching career so far and North’s midfield group in full, check out the full Member Q&A below.
