Second year player Ben Cunnington is regarded by many as being one of the most professional young footballers in recent memory.

This is his blog written exclusively for kangaroos.com.au which gives readers a unique insight into what it’s like to play in one of the toughest competitions in the world.

With our list becoming more healthy and close to full strength, the jostling for positions has become more intense.

Over the past two weeks, I have been moved from half-back to a wing in order to make room for Cam Richardson against Port Adelaide and then Daniel Pratt last week against St Kilda.

When I was told I was going to be on the wing I was a bit shocked because I’d never really played in that position before. It’s more ‘outside footy’ orientated but I was excited about the change-up. Darren Crocker was happy for me to spend a few weeks down back, but was also keen to have me up around the stoppages and this new role gave me the opportunity to get back into the action.

I spoke to Crock about how to play the position and he was really encouraging and wanted me to attack the ball and the contest when it was my turn to go.

I first lined up against Danyle Pearce from Port and was well aware of his pace and skill. The previous week at half back, I learned not to play into the hands of the speedier types being on Bomber David Zaharakis. The deal is to try and take away their strengths and use my strengths against them. In this case with Pearce, I had to try and use my body to make sure he never got a clear run at the ball.

Being on a wing means more uncontested footy and it gave me an opportunity to use my skills by hand and by foot without always being under the pump (like it is in the middle).

Against the Saints, Farren Ray and Brett Peake were my direct opponents and they got a good jump on me in the first quarter. They play a very structured and defensive brand of football and I noticed that there was plenty of communication between them. On most occasions they would wave to each other at a stoppage and switch positions. They were constantly changing it up to try and confuse us around the ball. With the Saints, the one thing that stood out was their experience, trust in each other and discipline.

At every stoppage they were amazingly switched on whereas us young blokes can have a tendency to fade in and out of games. St Kilda’s players are always onto each other and make sure that their teammates are focused, on the ball and in position. I took a lot out of the match and will definitely learn heaps from it. I’ll be able to relate this to my wing role and make sure I communicate more and ensure that our other winger is in the right position.

There was a bad moment for me in the game aside from the overall loss. Brendon Goddard kicked a nice goal from fifty - yes I was on him at the time. The ball came my way from a centre stoppage and their midfield got there first. They gave it to Goddard who kicked an amazing goal from beyond the arc. That was probably the longest walk back to the wing I’ve ever had. He gave it to me on the way back and had a smile from ear to ear. I think he might have said something along the lines of ‘where were you on that one?’ Honestly, I got caught in the middle and got completely sucked into the contest. He didn’t and that was the result.

Every possession I seemed to get was contested and this shows just how good a defensive side they are. Their pressure is first class and I had to fight for every ball.

I can’t wait to play them again.

Archive:
My Game: Playing back
My Game: Pouring rain
My Game: Substitute