How Harry Cunningham and Jake Lloyd have flown under the radar for more than a decade
For a decade, Jake Lloyd and Harry Cunningham have quietly gone about their business. So often they’re critical to the Swans’ success, and Friday’s preliminary final will be no different.
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Harry Cunningham and Jake Lloyd. The two best mates who have proven themselves indispensable to the Sydney Swans for a decade.
John Longmire’s teams over that time have been filled with some of the brightest stars in the competition. Headline-grabbers like Lance Franklin, Isaac Heeney and Errol Gulden regularly take the plaudits for their superb on-field performances.
But Cunningham and Lloyd have arguably been Longmire’s most important foot soldiers in that period. Each has played more than 200 games at AFL level, happy to do the hard yards and quietly go about their business.
However, time and time again, they rise to the occasion. Against the Giants in the qualifying final, Lloyd had a game-high 32 disposals and a goal, while Cunningham amassed seven tackles and three intercept possessions as he completely blanketed Brent Daniels.
Cunningham has just signed a two-year contract extension to remain with the Swans until the end of 2026.
The qualifying final was the 191st game the duo had played together in their career. Their time at the Swans has been inseparable – with Cunningham even warming up the No. 44 guernsey for a single game before it became Lloyd’s. But in a side filled with elite talent, Sydney wouldn’t be a win away from a grand final without them.
“We’ve been lucky enough to grow a great friendship over the years,” Cunningham said. “On the field, but more importantly off it. Lloydy and I are best mates.
“I’m not sure how he still flies under the radar given everything he’s achieved in footy. He’s close to 250 (games), he’s a two-time club best & fairest, and he’s come second twice as well. He’s a consistent player who turns up every week, every year and plays good footy all the time.
“It was great to see him have another blinder last weekend. It’s still a bit confusing when he flies under the radar, but I think that’s the way he loves to do it. He’s a very important player for us and I love being able to play footy with him.”
Lloyd has never been one to sing his own praises. But Cunningham is happy to step in and fill the void for his mate.
His career is a model of consistency. Lloyd has played at least 21 matches a year for all but one of his 11 seasons, the Covid-impacted 2020 when he still made 17 appearances.
Even in a different role this season playing predominantly on the wing, Lloyd has found a new way to have an impact and bring energy to the side. That isn’t lost on his teammates.
“Some people can look over it because they just expect him to do it because he has done it week after week,” Cunningham said.
“He is so important to our structure, and the way he steers everyone else around him as well. It’s not always about his kicking skills, or the way he gets the footy, but the way he sets us up is more important for the way we go about it.”
While Lloyd still catches the eye with ball in hand, Cunningham’s reputation as one of the best small defenders in the competition continues to grow.
Keeping Daniels quiet was one of his many scalps in recent years, with an uncanny ability to back his footy smarts to get the job done. And although there have been times he has fallen out of the Swans’ best 23 across his career, he has always found a way back.
At only 30 years old, and a couple of months Lloyd’s junior, he knows he’s got even more to give.
“I’m enjoying the process of trying to come in every day and get better,” Cunningham said.
“I’m one of the older guys so it’s great to bounce off some of the younger guys who come in with plenty of energy. I learn a lot from them but try to give them some wisdom as well.
“The best way I can do that is by enjoying myself and surrounding myself with great people at this footy club.
“You can take a lot of confidence from the way you perform during the year. But you build up a routine over the years, so I know what works for me. Each week, I’m pretty clear about my role and I just go out to best perform and help the team.
“It can be challenging at times, but that’s the best thing about footy. Nothing comes easy.”
Friday night against Port Adelaide will be Cunningham’s first preliminary final in 10 years.
His early years were filled with success. The Swans won the premiership in his first season on the list in 2012, while he played in back-to-back preliminary finals in 2013 and 2014.
But the kid from Wagga Wagga has learned all about perspective. He was left out of their finals run in 2016, has been on the losing side in three elimination finals and fell out of favour in their charge to the 2022 grand final.
He won’t take a single second for granted when he gets to run out onto a packed SCG against the Power.
“My career is only going to go a certain amount of time, so you’ve got to enjoy it while you can,” Cunningham said.
“I would have been 19 in ‘13, it was my first finals series. In 2014 I was still pretty young and naive. You think it’s going to happen every time or happen every year.
“But as you mature and get a bit older, you realise how hard it is to get here and get to these positions. You’ve got to earn that right to be there every year. We’ve got great experience around us in older players and some coaches who have been there as well.
“I’m most excited to just play footy again, in front of a mad SCG crowd. That’s the reason you play footy, showing up on a Friday to play for your club, your family and your supporters. It will be pretty special.”
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