Ben Cunnington is eyeing a return to his finest and a full complement of video games in 2023 however is not going to put his hand up for the vacant North Melbourne captaincy.
Cunnington underwent surgical procedure to take away a testicular tumour in July 2021. Months later he was present process chemotherapy after a check-up detected a secondary most cancers.
The diagnoses and a long-term again damage in 2020 have restricted the midfielder to twenty video games throughout the final three seasons, together with solely two in 2022.
The 31-year-old’s enthusiasm has not waned regardless of his tough three years and he stays assured he can play his finest soccer beneath new coach Alastair Clarkson.
“My love and passion (for the game) is definitely at an all-time high, but I just don’t want to be complacent and rest on that,” he mentioned.
“I still feel like I have some good footy to give. The club has been great with looking after me so far through pre-season and the body is holding up.
“I’m anticipating to play a few of my finest footy.”
Cunnington has been on the North Melbourne leadership group since 2020 but will not nominate for the captaincy, which has been relinquished by Jack Ziebell after six seasons.
Cunnington believes either of last year’s vice captains – Jy Simpkin and Luke McDonald – would make a good skipper.
“I do not suppose I’m the one to go captain,” he mentioned.
“We’ve acquired a couple of candidates that might positively fill Ziebs’ void completely. We’ll simply have to attend and see.
“Definitely those two (Simpkin and McDonald) probably get the attention and they’re both great leaders in their own right. Whatever way we go, the club will be in good hands.”
The new captain will probably be tasked with lifting the Kangaroos out of the doldrums however issues are already trying up beneath four-time premiership-winning coach Clarkson.
“The knowledge he brings and just his personality, he’s got a good balance. He’s got the boys buying in,” Cunnington mentioned.
“We’re a lot clearer with the way we want to play and with that it enables guys to play more on instinct rather than being overwhelmed and thinking too much and hesitating.”
