Ex-AFL star midfielder Ben Cunnington reveals how a season in local footy is bringing him joy

In his first year away from the AFL cauldron, ex-Kangaroo star midfielder Ben Cunnington has won his local league goal kicking award while rekindling his love for the game. He opens up to TYLER LEWIS.

Ben Cunnington. Picture: Warrnambool footy photos/Peter Goodman

Ben Cunnington took every chance he could to “take it all in”.

In his first season out of the AFL, playing at Warrnambool in the Hampden league, the ex-Roo tried his best to soak up the atmosphere of local footy.

Cunnington kicked 76 goals in 19 games as a forward but spent as much time as a spectator as he did an enforcer.

“That fun, enjoyment, passion, the love for the game all came back in spades because I could take it all in,” Cunnington, 33, said.

“When the ball was in your area you do your thing of course but when it went up I would just look away and see all the families, supporters and everyone amongst it.

“Seeing that definitely brought a lot of joy to me.”

Cunnington snaps. Picture: Warrnambool footy photos/Peter Goodman

(AAP Image/Mark Dadswell)

The champion midfielder retired after a 238-game AFL career which included the highs of two best and fairests and the lows of a battle with cancer.

When he knew his time at the top was coming to an end, he ventured to Victoria’s south west to scope the local competition.

Brushing away offers from nearly every local club west of Geelong, Cunnington eventually chose Warrnambool.

Big crowds gathered and even bigger expectations grew.

He felt the pressure early but, looking back on it now, thinks it was self-inflicted.

“I think you put a little bit on yourself early, there was a bit of a buzz coming back out of AFL,” he said.

“We’re lucky, we’ve got a heap of ex-AFL boys running around in the league, which is good for the community.

“There was a bit early with people coming out to see what you can do: get 40 (disposals) or kick 10 goals, whatever it is, there’s a little bit of that pressure or suspense.

“But that’s what makes it and after a while you start to find your feet and hopefully put on a bit of a show for everyone.”

Cunnington evades two opponents. Picture: Warrnambool footy photos/Peter Goodman

A foot injury forced him to play as a deep forward, and he took to the position change strongly with nine bags of five or more goals.

Heading into the final round of the home and away season, Cunnington held a one-goal lead in the league goal kicking award.

He fought off multiple Hamilton opponents and a harsh wind to kick a season-high 10.

Nine of Cunnington’s 10 were kicked into the breeze and he finished with six in the fourth quarter.

Blues coach Dan O’Keefe considers that final term one of his favourite memories of Cunnington and of the 2024 season.

“It was a strong breeze to one end and what ended up eventuating was they started playing eight, nine, 10 down there and Ben couldn’t get a look in,” O’Keefe said.

“The thing I loved as a coach was I felt Ben maybe would have felt embarrassed by winning the goal kicking but in the last quarter when our players, by under no direction, were trying to feed him.

“I think it all of a sudden became real to Ben – with 20 minutes to go in the season – that it was an award that was bigger than him and the boys wanted it for him.

“It was a really nice thing to see as a coach because the love for Ben is real and that no doubt played a part in it.”

Cunnington being chaired off after his final game. Photo by Michael Klein.

O’Keefe said Cunnington had been “enormous” for the club.

When asked what Cunnington had brought to the Blues, O’Keefe listed the off-field attributes first.

“It’s what Ben, Belinda and Kobe (Cunnington’s wife and son) bring off the field, they brought in enormously,” he said.

“He went to a number of junior jumper presentations, took training during school holidays, forever gave his wisdom and expertise to our midfield group.

“We’ve got a great footballer in Ben Cunnington but I reckon we’ve got an even better person in Ben Cunnington and his family.”

The Blues bowed out of the finals in straight sets after they fumbled a 10-goal quarter-time lead.

Cunnington is committed to rectify that loss and is even prepared to venture out of his new-found position.

“Yeah I am locked in ready to go, a few of the boys are getting into me to get into the midfield and get half fit,” he quipped.

“I will definitely do more fitness leading into this one, I didn’t do too much last year but I enjoyed myself down forward so it’ll be hard to get me out of the square.”