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

[KidCudi]

On my phone and it's being difficult so I can't add any pictures for reference - but have a look at Cunners pre Christmas (was huge, bulked etc) to now where he has trimmed right down. Expecting big things - hopefully has gained a yard of pace to come with it.

 

[Ether]

Yep just read that.

Think he must be a north fan - was on point on both cunners and brown getting shafted by the Media for AA

Sorry - old post. He goes for Hawthorn but tends to be pretty fair about North.

 

[Heaps of fun]

On my phone and it's being difficult so I can't add any pictures for reference - but have a look at Cunners pre Christmas (was huge, bulked etc) to now where he has trimmed right down. Expecting big things - hopefully has gained a yard of pace to come with it.

A yard of pace seems unrealistic at his age but if he could get his TOG up to 85% average that would huge for us. We were pretty shithouse when he wasn't around the ball last year.

 

[Snake_Baker]

A yard of pace seems unrealistic at his age but if he could get his TOG up to 85% average that would huge for us. We were pretty shithouse when he wasn't around the ball last year.

He doesn't need any more pace, he just needs midfield teammates that can win some more clearances.

 

[Heaps of fun]

He doesn't need any more pace, he just needs midfield teammates that can win some more clearances.

Bonar or Hall could be the ace in the hole there. Wouldn't be surprised to see Jy push his clearance count to five plus if this is the year he really arrives.

You're right that if these guys don't step up we're not having a big year. Can't leave it all to one man, look at Carlton and Fremantle. Cripps and Fyfe are probably 1 & 2 best clearance players in the league and they can't drag a team into the eight without help.

 

[King Corey]

Can't leave it all to one man, look at Carlton and Fremantle. Cripps and Fyfe are probably 1 & 2 best clearance players in the league and they can't drag a team into the eight without help.

Ben is at least on par with Fyfe for disposal class if not a touch better.

Once again a travesty that we've had this guy getting 1st hands on the ball and a ruckman with the class of Goldstein tapping it to him for the better part of 10 years yet having nothing to show for it.

 

[Heaps of fun]

Ben is at least on par with Fyfe for disposal class if not a touch better.

Once again a travesty that we've had this guy getting 1st hands on the ball and a ruckman with the class of Goldstein tapping it to him for the better part of 10 years yet having nothing to show for it.

Good thing there's still time left.

 

[muttley45]

Cunners must not be significantly subdued by a heavy tag, probably more up to his team mates than him actually, but i'm sure he will be singled out for some attention at various stages, failure to prepare is preparing to fail.

 

[Waussie]

Cunners must not be significantly subdued by a heavy tag, probably more up to his team mates than him actually, but i'm sure he will be singled out for some attention at various stages, failure to prepare is preparing to fail.

We'll just tag the tagger!

 

[Ball Dont Lie]

I am hoping that if he is copping a heavy tag we now have the flexibility to swing him forward and run Zurhar, Thomas, Jz, for 5-10 minutes burst. In another era cunners would be a 100 goal a year full forward. Fantastic mark and great set shot. Likewise if Higgins is copping a tag. We finally have some flexibility folks

 

[Passmore]

I am hoping that if he is copping a heavy tag we now have the flexibility to swing him forward and run Zurhar, Thomas, Jz, for 5-10 minutes burst. In another era cunners would be a 100 goal a year full forward. Fantastic mark and great set shot. Likewise if Higgins is copping a tag. We finally have some flexibility folks

Exactly. If a De Boer type is hanging off him, move Benny to the goal square and we’ll see how they go one out if the tagger goes with him.

 

[king of the road]

Exactly. If a De Boer type is hanging off him, move Benny to the goal square and we’ll see how they go one out if the tagger goes with him.

Or he could just break his shoulder completely by accident.

 

[Kimbo]

In another era cunners would be a 100 goal a year full forward.

lol Maybe Ball does lie.

 

[Grogg]

Exactly. If a De Boer type is hanging off him, move Benny to the goal square and we’ll see how they go one out if the tagger goes with him.

It's this type of flexibility that has been sadly lacking in the coaches box.

Remember Cunners kicked 10 goals in his first ever senior appearance as a teenager back in Cobden playing up forward.

 

[Ball Dont Lie]

lol Maybe Ball does lie.

Hudson and Wade were 188. Coventry 178. Coleman 175. Are you thinking not strong enough

 

[Rooboys Rool]

lol Maybe Ball does lie.

 

[Heaps of fun]

Hudson and Wade were 188. Coventry 178. Coleman 175. Are you thinking not strong enough

Not quick enough.

 

[Kimbo]

Hudson and Wade were 188. Coventry 178. Coleman 175. Are you thinking not strong enough

In other eras, where it was one-on-one affair, I doubt Ben would have competed as a specialist FF on specialist FBs. Ben works as a capable, if underrated, part-time forward who is a good mark for his size and who is an accurate and reliable kick for goal (84 goals, 38 behinds).

Unless you're using time travel to have contemporary training and conditioning that Ben gets, competing with 'amateur' footballers of those days? Perhaps also the height of current footballers compared to those of the past?

 

[The Nostradamus]

 

[KillaKanga]

Bit of talent there

 

[Bigeasy]

Bit of talent there

Bit of footy talent too.

 

[giantroo]

 

[Horizons_00]

Shaw has identified his faults in his running capacity and then put it on him to improve

I feel like we haven’t even seen what he’s capable of yet

 

[KillaKanga]

If Ben can get to a few more contests a game AND rest forward kicking 20 goals it will have a knock on effect. His teammates will lift, the opposition will wear down. Our chances of winning the close game goes up.

I'm the Southpark pic of the dude sitting in front of the computer with Slimer from Ghostbusters splattered over the walls #ectoplasm

 

[King Corey]

If Ben can get to a few more contests a game AND rest forward kicking 20 goals

I get the concept of 'stretch targets' but that's a very high bar to set per match.