SO DESPERATE was Ben Cunnington to avoid journalists at North Melbourne's open media session in April that he snuck unseen through the construction site at Arden Street.

Several minutes passed before anyone realised the Kangaroos' bulldozer midfielder – the man many of the waiting media were most keen to speak to – had gone AWOL.

While Cunnington's teammates were peppered with questions, the 28-year-old was inside starting his recovery in an ice bath.

There was no chance of a repeat disappearance on Friday night, with Cunnington firstly awarded club life membership before accepting his second Syd Barker Medal as North's club champion.

What unfolded next was an extraordinarily raw and rare insight into the man behind the hardened exterior.

Cunnington sweated profusely amid his jangling nerves as he spoke in front of a crowd full of clubmates, coaches, officials and Roos devotees.

The 209-game star's emotions got the better of him as he thanked his Nana and Pop – his No.1 fan – parents and three siblings, then his wife Belinda and two young children for their unwavering support.

#SydBarker The Ben Cunnington we rarely see pic.twitter.com/5l24N8JVJm — Marc McGowan (@ByMarcMcGowan) October 4, 2019

Belinda gave birth to their second child, Stella, on November 11 last year. Their first, Xavier, turns three years old on Tuesday.

"That's probably my biggest motivation in life, my little family," Cunnington said.

"Without you guys' support and everything you do for me, I literally couldn't be the man I am today.

"I love my life and love spending it with you guys – and to Belinda, you're my best mate, you're my rock and I just love doing life with you and appreciate everything you do for me."

Cunnington with his family ahead of his 200th match earlier this year. Picture: AFL Photos



Speaking to AFL.com.au afterwards, Cunnington passionately discussed being a father and a husband, and how he wants to give them the same opportunities he was afforded growing up.

"The club probably doesn't want me to say it but my family is my first priority," he said.

"I always put them in front of anything – my own game, footy. If Stella's up the night before a game, I'll get up. My family comes first.

"Believe it or not, since I've had my kids my game's gone to a new level, so it's a win-win.

"I need to get away from the game mentally to be able to perform, so my kids do that without even knowing."

Stella's arrival almost 11 months ago was one of three major moments that contributed to what Cunnington described as the most challenging season of his AFL career.

Barely one month later, one of Cunnington's closest friends at North Melbourne, Majak Daw, suffered serious injuries to his hips and pelvis in a fall from Melbourne's Bolte Bridge.

In Cunnington's words: "That shook us up a bit."

Daw and Cunnington share a laugh at North's team photo shoot. Picture: AFL Photos



Then came coach Brad Scott's exit in late May. Scott was his only senior coach until Rhyce Shaw took over in round 11 this year.

"That one hit me pretty hard, because I got drafted when 'Scotty' came in, so we had a good relationship and understanding of each other," Cunnington said.

"He's literally made me the player and person I am today, so to see him go that quick before me – yeah, it was a shock.

"But life goes on and I couldn't be happier with Rhyce (Shaw) and the way he goes about it. He's a simple man, like myself, so we get each other."

Cunnington embraces Scott after the ex-coach's final game in round 10. Picture: AFL Photos



Scott would always bang on about how much he wanted Cunnington to be crowned as an All Australian, even though the player himself couldn't give a flying fig.

So it was, perhaps, fitting that the year Scott's decade-long stint in charge ended, Cunnington was shortlisted for the Virgin Australia AFL All Australian team.

"One of the things I struggle with is attention and the media, but that's one thing I can honestly say does not mean a thing to me – outside recognition," Cunnington said.

As for Shaw, Cunnington particularly appreciates how he backs fellow enforcers Jed Anderson, Jack Ziebell and Jy Simpkin to play their natural game.

The hard edge the Roos played with in the second half of the 2019 season was a big part of the club's resurgence.

"All these guys who hit hard; when you see them boys doing it, you just want to hit someone hard as well," Cunnington said.

"So it's infectious and it helps each and every one of us want to go even harder."

Cunnington doesn't always strike the perfect balance of controlled aggression – highlighted by his five fines throughout the year – but he is admired for his approach.

He thrives on playing in finals, being on the Friday night stage and performing his role in winning "the dirty ball".

Yet none of it would be possible, Cunnington says, if not for his midfield partners-in-crime, ruckman Todd Goldstein and the silky Shaun Higgins.

Goldstein and Cunnington ahead of the R17 clash against Essendon. Picture: AFL Photos



The fear of what football life would be like without them almost became a reality as both Goldstein and Higgins considered switching clubs throughout this past season and in its wake.

There were multiple reasons why they ended up staying, but Cunnington, who signed a two-season contract extension mid-year to remain until 2022, was possibly among them.

"I'm tight with them, and on-field they complement me more than anyone," he said.

"I was texting them pretty much every day, just making sure they'd hang around, because (them leaving) would impact on me individually, but as a team it would be a huge loss.

"To see them re-commit is huge and an important part of our core going forward."

Sending a few text messages might not be significant for others, but Cunnington rarely uses his mobile phone, isn't on social media and doesn't make a habit of consuming the news.

Rather, he prefers to escape with a fishing rod, an addiction he credits to his Pop, Peter.

Cunnington might call himself "a simple man" but he's also a deep thinker who's fiercely proud of his performance and what he can do for others.

He was stung by his eighth placing in the Syd Barker Medal in 2016 and subsequently cancelled his usual off-season return to his family's dairy farm near Princeton, on the Great Ocean Road.

Instead, Cunnington dedicated himself to a rigorous running program with Kangaroos fitness guru Jona Segal, who was among the many he thanked on Friday night.

He's never been outside the top two in the club champion count since.

Cunnington has reaped the rewards of his pre-season work in the past three years. Picture: AFL Photos



"It's funny, because you definitely have your ups and downs, especially with motivation, but (winning) that premiership does drive you," Cunnington said.

"And then just running out with your boys, my teammates. You just don't want to let them down.

"As an individual competitor, you want to see what you can produce, so you want to push yourself and work as hard as you can to see what potential you can get to."

We now know Ben Cunnington, the person is every bit as fascinating as Ben Cunnington, the footballer.

Just don't expect another sneak peek anytime soon.