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

[muttley45]

Cunners, didn't think i could admire you any more, but damn if that interview didn't raise the bar significantly, cannot wait to see you back in action with our next generation of midfielders learning from the best.

 

[InFineForm]

Special few minutes watching that. He's an absolute champion player, but that just emphasises what a great human he is.

 

[Firebat]

Oh man. Love you Cunners.

I'll shoot off and chuck my annual $20 on him for the Brownlow and head to bed I think.

 

[deano28]

For probably the last 20 years I’ve been one of those supporters that when I go to the footy I just get around in a club scarf but next season I’ll be at the games with a NMFC guernsey on with number 10 on the back .

 

[LB2Snake]

And was it that clown Rendell on Trade Radio saying Cunners to *? Yeah *ing righto…..this bloke is North Melbourne.
What a great speech. Think this year we’ve really gotten to know Cunners, even prior to his diagnosis…..the club and media department were doing great things with Cunners.His interview early in the year with Heath, I think, was unreal. Special human and glad he realises how loved he is also.

 

[sutcliffe's hotel]

Special human and glad he realises how loved he is also.

Spot on LB2S. To see what it meant to Cunners to know he is loved by all of us at the club is a moment I will never forget.

 

[Gasometer]

Has made the third article on news.com.au this morning

 

[travelli]

What a man Cunners. It was a good job by kingy and the other bloke and by Luke for that matter to keep that interview kicking over.

 

[hundini]

That was special to watch live.
Nigel Carmody and David King did a great job last night. Very engaged, in tune with the club status and 2021 performance. They both clicked into another gear when Ben broke down. A polished performance. Well done NMFC.

 

[Shermanator]

That was special to watch live.
Nigel Carmody and David King did a great job last night. Very engaged, in tune with the club status and 2021 performance. They both clicked into another gear when Ben broke down. A polished performance. Well done NMFC.

100% - kudos To Nigel and Kingy.

I think everyone has summed up Cunners pretty well already above. A magnificent footballer, a fantastic role model to our emerging stars and a universally loved human.

The impact he’s having on the rest of the playing group (see TT) is incredible.. nothin but for the great man.

 

[Outtatym]

Club must do all it can to keep this treasure around after he retires to work with the young blokes. What a man.

 

[Gorman2Geister]

And to think that we should have drafted Gary Rohan

23

Gary Rohan

Age

32

Ht

189cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.6

2star

K

6.6

3star

HB

3.0

3star

M

3.3

3star

T

2.5

4star

G

1.0

4star

D

8.8

2star

K

6.0

2star

HB

2.8

2star

M

3.4

3star

T

2.3

3star

G

1.0

4star

D

9.8

3star

K

6.8

3star

HB

3.0

3star

M

2.2

3star

T

4.2

5star

G

1.2

4star

...

 

[North Viking]

One of my favourite shinboners of all time.
If you were to look up shinboner on google Cunners head should appear.
Strong, determined, hard as nails, humble and all round beautiful and sensitive person.

You can tell that he just doesn’t care about the NMFC but he bleeds blue and white. He invests in the future of our club, he sets the bar and tone. What a role model.

I will tell my grandkids about this guy!

 

[ferball]

Hard to express in words what Cunners means.


Legend.

 

[nicko74]

What a guy!! One of the greats of our proud club! Criminally underrated still but * em all

 

[Hojuman]

Got a '98 pre-season jumper with the no. 10 on the back. Appropriate really. Worn proudly to games.

 

[The Dougster]

He's just a legend in every sense. Love him from the outer

 

[Conundrum]

And to think that we should have drafted Gary Rohan...

Its scary to think that if the 2009 draft were held today, with the increased emphasis on speed and athleticism (perceived upside of the juniors), I could seriously imagine the club missing out on Cunners for Rohan.

 

[The Anvil]

Its scary to think that if the 2009 draft were held today, with the increased emphasis on speed and athleticism (perceived upside of the juniors), I could seriously imagine the club missing out on Cunners for Rohan.

Club had a no DH rule back then so we would have been safe.


On iPad using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Page8383]

Been following North since 1991 and Bens in my top 5 all time favourite NMFC players.

Beautiful words last night and like his performances on the park - all heart.

Was great to see him share it in what’s been a tough couple of years for everyone and has had an extra degree of difficulty for him in the last couple of months.

Would love nothing more than to see this guy get a premiership medal in his twilight.

Such a great guy to have in our corner

 

[FootySmartSimpson]

As others have already said, this guy is just an all-round top person.

Would be in the top 10 most-respected players in the league. So humble. So good.

 

[Marstermind]

What a legend.

And well done to Nigel Carmody, Kingy and LMac for their role in a special moment with a special footballer and man.

 

[Twinkletoes]

Spine tingling stuff from Cunners last night. He is the living essence of all our club stands for.

While watching live I couldn’t help but hope JHF was tuning in live from Adelaide as well. If not I hope he sees a replay of Cunners’ speech.

I suspect he’d see it, soak it all in (including Jy’s comments) and he’d be all in on the whole Shinboner Spirit mantra which lies ahead for the young bloke.

We’ve been so blessed to witness Cunners’ journey as a footballer and person.

I bloody love the bloke!

 

[roos_fanatic08]

I’ve followed his career since he we as under ager at Geelong in the TAC. The ultimate pure footballer if there ever was one.

Despite being 3 years older than Cunners, I seriously look up to him as both an athlete and a person. Love everything about the bloke both on and off the field. Despite his rugged/tough demeanour he is a down to earth country lad at heart that enjoys the simple things in life like family, farming and fishing. He is as shy as he is humble and despite that, he still has an incredible impact on those around him.

Every week I look forward to watching him play, and I sincerely hope we get to see him for another 100+ games.

 

[Caracas]

So, I’m assuming we’re all on board with having Cunners, Jack and Todd on our list until they retire?


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