BEN Cunnington in action in North Melbourne's VFL game against Sydney on Sunday, the midfielder had a successful return to footy with 18 disposals.
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NORTH Melbourne star, Ben Cunnington has made a remarkable return to football, coming back from multiple cancer scares to get back healthy.
Before Sunday, Cunnington hadn’t played at the top level for over a year, and although he returned through the VFL, it was a huge step in the right direction for 31-year-old midfielder.
The struggling Shinboners have desperately missed a player of Cunnington’s talent and experience this season, in a tumultuous campaign that has yielded just two wins.
The young Roos have come under significant scrutiny this year, ultimately resulting in David Noble’s departure as senior coach ahead of Round 18.
Cunnington himself has suffered significant challenges, dating back to July last year.
When the star midfielder went in for a routine doctor’s check-up, he devastatingly discovered that he had testicular cancer, and life as he knew it, changed in an instant.
THE midfielder has aspirations to return to the AFL side and will continue to push for selection at the top level.
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After months of treatment and a brief period in remission, Cunnington found out the terrible news that the cancer had returned.
It would require chemotherapy after previous surgeries, at that stage he was doubting whether he would ever play the game he loves again.
At North Melbourne’s best and fairest count last year, Cunnington broke down, overwhelmed by the support he had received during a really challenging time.
“I’m getting a bit emotional, even though I didn’t even win it, just to have the support from the club, the players, and my beautiful family – I couldn’t have done it without them”, he said.
“When that word gets thrown around (and) you never think it’s going to be you, so it was a bit overwhelming”, Cunnington said post game.
BEN Cunnington (left) and Josh Kennedy (right) share some laughs post-match on Sunday, while Cunnington got through the game well, Kennedy suffered a serious hamstring injury.
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In February this year, the 31-year-old returned to the club after completing his second round of chemotherapy.
Overjoyed to be back at the club he loves, Cunnington paid respect to those closest to him that had helped him through the tough times.
“I’ve had such amazing support from everyone at the club and I can’t thank them enough”, he said.
Cunnington finished his treatment early this year and was on track for a return, before he was struck down with a calf injury and most recently, COVID-19.
Since then, the superstar has recovered from injuries and illness that plagued him for the last year.
He hadn’t looked back, culminating in a return to footy through the VFL on the weekend.
Talking after the game, Cunnington said he loved being out there and it had been a long time coming.
“We were pretty desperate just to get back today and just sort of, I suppose, tick it off … just (with) all the hard work and what we’ve been through”, he said.
THE 31-year-old was all smiles as he ran out with the Kangaroos' VFL side for the clash on Sunday.
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Cunnington lined up on the wing in North Melbourne’s VFL match against Sydney at Arden Street Oval, describing the experience of playing again as “pretty special”.
Cunnington finished the game with 18 disposals, four marks and three tackles in a solid return to the game, potentially pushing for an AFL comeback as early as next week.
He has been on a tough but very inspiring journey and North Melbourne fans will be hoping he can stay healthy and get back to his best ahead of the 2023 season.
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