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AFL 2022: Adelaide Crows vs North Melbourne, fans rejoice over Ben Cunnington’s return from cancer after 385 days

AFL 2022: Adelaide Crows vs North Melbourne, fans rejoice over Ben Cunnington's return from cancer after 385 days

There were emotional scenes at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon as North Melbourne’s Ben Cunnington returned to AFL action for the first time in more than a year.

The Kangaroos midfielder has survived two bouts of testicular cancer that have kept him out of the AFL since he last played in round 19 last year — 385 days ago.

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Cunnington, a two-time North best and fairest, addressed his teammates during the week and spoke about his battle and the support from his family and the club that helped him fight his way back.

It has been a long and emotional journey back to senior football for the 31-year-old, who was seen soaking up the moment by himself in the middle of Adelaide Oval before North’s clash with the Crows.

And many footy fans would have shed a tear watching Cunnington embrace his partner and walked out onto the field with his three children.

Cunnington took a few deep breaths as she ran through the banner.

The Herald Sun’s Lauren Wood said it would be “tough to top for footy’s moment of the year”.

Broadcaster Chad Ryan tweeted: “Bloody powerful stuff. F*** cancer. So glad to have Cunnington back.”

Peter Hooley said: “Man, who’s cutting onions. Love every little thing about this. Go well Cunners.”

Cunnington finished with 17 disposals and three clearances in a solid performance.

The Crows spoiled his return, pushing ahead in the last quarter to claim a 103 (15.14) to 74 (10.14).

Dual premiership-winning Kangaroo David King said it was “so good” to see Cunnington back playing for North.

“Just really rapt to see him back out there and wearing the jumper,” he said on Fox Footy.

“Things look right for the Kangaroos when he’s out there.

“I think he’s been the Kangaroos’ best player since the turn of the century. This guy’s impact on football has been phenomenal for us.”

“You think you might be done with the game but until it gets taken away from you, you quickly realize how much you do love it,” Cunnington told Fox Footy post game.

“To get another opportunity to play, I couldn’t be more appreciative and grateful.”

“Even though we lost I can’t stop smiling, I’m just trying to appreciate it right now.”

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Cancer survivor Ben Cunnington reveals his battle to back to AFL football for North Melbourne

Cancer survivor Ben Cunnington reveals his battle to back to AFL football for North Melbourne

Cancer survivor Ben Cunnington has opened up on the “overwhelming” feeling he had when first diagnosed with testicular cancer as he prepares to play his first AFL game in 13 months this weekend.

Cunnington survived two bouts of cancer that kept him out of the AFL since he last played in round 19, 2021 and revealed things got “pretty real” for the 30-year-old and his family when a check-up last November revealed the recurrence .

Ahead of his return against the Adelaide Crows on Saturday, Cunnington, a two-time North best and fairest, spoke about his battle and the support from his family and the club that helped him fight his way back.

“The first diagnosis was very overwhelming,” he said.

“You never think you are going to be that person. You see and hear and read about it, but when it’s you, it’s very overwhelming.

“We had the operation and we thought that everything went well so you moved on.

“But when it came back in one of my check-ups and then the chemo got involved, that’s when it got pretty real. It was a bit of a battle, yeah.”

A reluctant giver of interviews, Cunnington’s comments were published on the North Melbourne website, where he outlined his battle to get back to senior football, which included a calf issue and then a bout of Covid on the eve of his return and a fear he may not get back.

“I had a couple of little setbacks during the rehab, but when I did that calf pretty good, we thought we might be in a little bit of trouble,” he said.

“But the club were great, they sent me back to the farm for a couple of days to regroup, then I got back on the horse, recovered well.

“It was all looking pretty good, then I came back again and got struck down with Covid, which has been a long time coming. It was always going to happen the week leading up to my first game.

“But finally we’ve got to where we are now.

“It feels amazing. I can’t stop smiling, especially where I have come from.

“You do a little bit of reflecting, but to finally get here, it’s been a bit of hard work and some ups and downs, but to finally get here, I can’t stop smiling.”

Cunnington, who played his first game in the VFL last weekend before getting the nod to return to the AFL team on Wednesday, said his happiness was reflected in that of his family and friends when he told them he’d get back to doing what he You see it.

“It hasn’t just been me on the journey, I’ve had a lot, especially family, close friends and even people within the footy club coming on this journey with me,” he said.

“To tell them, and see their happiness, relief, excitement, it was a nice feeling all around.”

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