Past #10: Ben Cunnington - will retire from the AFL after * game - 238 games/95+ goals/2x Syd Barker Medalist/Shinboner - thanks for everything Cunners

[giantroo]

Correct weight.

It's infuriating how much of his genuinely elite stuff gets missed by the commentators as they giggle and play footsies.

Except Dermie. He loves him.

 

[pupstar]

I love Cunners as much as anyone. However, I think the coaching guys need to ensure that he doesn’t end up at centre bounces on mobile opposition players. Ben, invariably, takes a snooze for half a quarter every game - he shares that with all the competition superstars. Last week it happened early in the last. He was jolted back to life immediately after his very lazy handball was blocked. However, while he was snoozing, the Bulldogs ran riot at the centre bounces. The time where the Bont literally cruised away from him and set up a goal looked really bad.


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In Cunners defence the Bont has done that to man a player and will continue to do so.

 

[pupstar]

In Cunners defence the Bont has done that to man a player and will continue to do so.

I meant many a player.

 

[Val Keating]

He’ll keep getting better too. He doesn’t rely on leg speed and agility, he’s smarts and strength. He won’t lose those for a very long time.

 

[muttley45]

Well on his way to another Syd Barker medal, and possible All Australian honours.

 

[amaz199]

Will get extremely close to AA team. Hopefully.

 

[Harris 10]

Will get extremely close to AA team. Hopefully.

Half of the selection panel wouldn’t even know who he is.

 

[Firestarter]

Half of the selection panel wouldn’t even know who he is.

Probably mistake him for Cunningham.

 

[Caracas]

In Cunners defence the Bont has done that to man a player and will continue to do so.

Agreed.


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[bengrina]

Except Dermie. He loves him.

Yeah dermie has a serious love for cunners

 

[WayneShimmiesTheBush]

Any talk of trading Cunnington is ludicrous. why would you trade not only our best player but the player that best symbolises north Melbourne. I couldn't care what draft pick we get, we are not guaranteed to get a player of his calibre. I don't care what the media and so called footy experts say, cunnington is an elite A grader, full stop. people should ignore super coach points and just assess the players on football ability. he is star and I would be filthy if the club would even contemplate trading ben.

and I am not sure what other peoples opinions are on our list but I am not falling for the we need a full rebuild talk. our list is very good and our downfall was our game plan and how it looked like our players were playing robotic football. the talent and flair is there, its just a matter of letting them show it off. we are not as bad as all these experts believe we are.

 

[7577969923]

Any talk of trading Cunnington is ludicrous. why would you trade not only our best player but the player that best symbolises north Melbourne. I couldn't care what draft pick we get, we are not guaranteed to get a player of his calibre. I don't care what the media and so called footy experts say, cunnington is an elite A grader, full stop. people should ignore super coach points and just assess the players on football ability. he is star and I would be filthy if the club would even contemplate trading ben.

and I am not sure what other peoples opinions are on our list but I am not falling for the we need a full rebuild talk. our list is very good and our downfall was our game plan and how it looked like our players were playing robotic football. the talent and flair is there, its just a matter of letting them show it off. we are not as bad as all these experts believe we are.

Agree with you about Cunners. He is at his peak with easily 4 to 5 years of good footy ahead of him and is absolutely a talisman of the club for both his fans and his teammates. We would undoubtedly get some excellent picks if we were to trade him as there would be 17 other clubs that would be extremely keen to have Cunners on their list.

I am not sure I completely agree with you about our list. We have probably the best group of 21 and under players we have had in a long time but our middle age bracket is among the worst in the league. We have several C and D graders getting regular senior football and not much in the way of genuine star power. It is not a terrible list and doesn't need a radical overhaul, but if our starting 22 doesn't have at least 7 or 8 changes by the 2021 season I can't see us really making an impact.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Some of his don’t argues tonight were off the chain.

On so many occasions tonight he had 3 blokes hanging off him and he still manages to get his hands free to release the footy.

How the hell is he THAT strong?

 

[SMaturin]

What can I do to demonstrate my love?

Milk a wild ox?
Catch a shark with my teeth?
Donate my hair to a men’s charity?

I’ll do it.

 

[susurrar]

i actually thought that was the best another team has pressured and tackled him in a long time. big bloke stuck a couple of good ones on him (#38?). cunners still too good at the end of the day. great game again.

 

[Val Keating]

i actually thought that was the best another team has pressured and tackled him in a long time. big bloke stuck a couple of good ones on him (#38?). cunners still too good at the end of the day. great game again.

It was. And he was still good.

 

[shintemaster]

Loved the Pentridge haircut. Beast.

 

[justroyal]

Every other player in the midfield rotation that stood next to Martin seemed like they were positioned more with their bodies turned towards him. They seemed more focused on impeding his run at the bounce.

Then there's Cunnington...

Positions himself the exact same way as Martin. Chilled out, wide stance, hands on knees slight forward lean. Almost like he didn't give a s**t that he was there. But then once the ball bounces, they make contact but Cunnners does not move the slightest. What a ******* bull.

Jacobs might be able to wear him like a glove.
But Ben can shut him up.

 

[chugginon]

What can I do to demonstrate my love?

Milk a wild ox?
Catch a shark with my teeth?
Donate my hair to a men’s charity?

I’ll do it.

Just talk all things fishing ? That would do it

 

[brettman135]

Just lock him in the All Australian 40 man squad already, having an outstanding year.

 

[Thewlis Dish]

Loved the Pentridge haircut. Beast.

His version of the Bartel long sleeves. Once you see the bald head you know he's gonna have a blinder.

 

[Boomerfan99]

Any talk of trading Cunnington is ludicrous. why would you trade not only our best player but the player that best symbolises north Melbourne. I couldn't care what draft pick we get, we are not guaranteed to get a player of his calibre. I don't care what the media and so called footy experts say, cunnington is an elite A grader, full stop. people should ignore super coach points and just assess the players on football ability. he is star and I would be filthy if the club would even contemplate trading ben.

and I am not sure what other peoples opinions are on our list but I am not falling for the we need a full rebuild talk. our list is very good and our downfall was our game plan and how it looked like our players were playing robotic football. the talent and flair is there, its just a matter of letting them show it off. we are not as bad as all these experts believe we are.

Double like for that comment.

 

[Clarke is King]

5th in the AFLCA Player of the year. If he keeps up his form surely they can’t keep him out of an AA jacket.

Jokes of course they will find a way

 

[Val Keating]

Still $101 for the Brownlow...

 

[Clarke is King]

Every other player in the midfield rotation that stood next to Martin seemed like they were positioned more with their bodies turned towards him. They seemed more focused on impeding his run at the bounce.

Then there's Cunnington...

Positions himself the exact same way as Martin. Chilled out, wide stance, hands on knees slight forward lean. Almost like he didn't give a **** that he was there. But then once the ball bounces, they make contact but Cunnners does not move the slightest. What a ******* bull.

Jacobs might be able to wear him like a glove.
But Ben can shut him up.

Reckon there’s a bit of mutual respect between Cunners and Dusty. Couple of hard arses.