David Cuningham will be looking to cement a best 22 spot this year, after a long string of campaigns of underperforming high expectations at Carlton.
David Cuningham will be looking to cement a best 22 spot this year, after a long string of campaigns of underperforming high expectations at Carlton.
This DC is still Clark Kent
Injuries have hampered David Cuningham's career thus far, meaning we've only seen glimpses of his class, speed and tenacity. He found more of the footy than ever before in 2019, averaging 16 touches throughout the season, seven of which were contested. Cuningham is eyeing his most complete preseason to date and if his body remains intact, he could prove a handy asset across the half-forward line. There's nowhere near enough evidence to pick him at this stage though, so look elsewhere.
David Cuningham is one of those players who could play 200 games and remain in the bottom six of the 22, like David Mackay at Adelaide who floats about off a wing for a measly 15 touches per game. If Cuningham wants to lift himself above that plateau to raise some interest from fantasy coaches, he would have to expand his field of work to get involved both at half back and half forward. There is a lot of ball retention about the Brendon Bolton strategy, so he still has potential to be a fantasy asset worth owning, but it's all about workrate.
Sad days for Cuningham
You want to see improvement out of a promising junior in his third year in an AFL system, but for David Cuningham it was a rather wasted 2018 with hamstring problems restricting him to five senior and two reserves games. A total of 26 disposals in his last three senior appearances came as he was shifted forward for significant spells. The Blues cleared out a lot of list-clogging outside players in the off season, and if Cuningham doesn't want to join them when his contract expires at the end of this year, he will need a solid preseason. He is not worth drafting in preseason, but could be a midseason pick up if he enjoys the open space provided by the 6-6-6 rule.
Happier days for Cuningham
A taster of three games in 2016 was followed by a longer bloc of eight last season for David Cuningham. He did not manage to crack 20 disposals in a game, but almost half of his touches were contested and he tackled more than usual for a wing/HFF. There is something for Brendon Bolton to work with in Cuningham. If he can build a tank to play out a full season then he deserves the chance. He is one to watch in the JLT to ascertain whether he is ready for best 22 status and worth a late pick.
