North Melbourne HQ was filled with emotion on Tuesday as Ben Cunnington, a two-time cancer survivor, announced his retirement from the AFL. This Saturday, Cunnington will play his final game, exactly one year after making his triumphant return to the sport following his battle with cancer. The highly respected player shared the news with his teammates during a team meeting, and the Kangaroos posted a touching six-minute video of the announcement on social media.
Cunnington, a two-time winner of the North Melbourne best and fairest award, has been an integral part of the team and holds a special place in the hearts of fans. With Alastair Clarkson recently returning to coach the team, the announcement of Cunnington’s retirement adds another layer of motivation for North Melbourne to upset their rivals, Essendon, in their upcoming game at Marvel Stadium.
In his announcement, Cunnington expressed his pride in his achievements, both on and off the field, over his 14-year career. He reflected on how joining North Melbourne was a dream come true for him and how the club’s culture allowed him to thrive as an individual. However, he admitted that his desire to continue playing had diminished since his comeback from cancer. He emphasized that he didn’t want to continue without being able to give his full effort and acknowledged the presence of young, hungry players who would seize the opportunity to contribute to the team’s improvement.
Cunnington’s retirement marks the end of an era for North Melbourne, but his legacy as a resilient and dedicated player will undoubtedly live on. Additionally, Essendon ruckman Andrew Phillips also announced his retirement at the end of the season, adding to the emotional atmosphere surrounding the AFL community.
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