The Carlton Football Club began the first leg of its journey under senior coach Brendon Bolton in 2016.
After notching up seven wins for the season – three more than last year – the Blues ended up finishing 14th on the ladder.
With the team now on a break, we’re taking a look back at each player’s year in statistics. Here’s the review for Carlton’s No. 28, David Cuningham:
GAMES
Season 2016: 3
Career: 3
GOALS
Season 2016: 0
Career: 0
KEY AFL STATISTICS (averages in brackets)
Disposals: 31 (10.33) Kicks: 14 (4.67) Marks 8 (2.67) Contested Possessions 11 (3.67) Uncontested Possessions: 18 (6.00) Tackles: 16 (5.33) Clearances: 3 (1.00)
OVERVIEW
After being recruited to the Blues with pick 23 in last year's draft, a hip injury meant the Melbourne Grammarian’s debut season was kept to just three senior appearances.
That said, Cuningham, with his genuine run and carry, sublime foot skills and surprising aerial prowess, was a welcome inclusion in Carlton’s final showings against Brisbane, Melbourne and Essendon.
On record for citing Chris Judd as a childhood influence, Cuningham is a close friend of Jack Silvagni’s – and it’s fair to assume both will be prominent in dark navy into 2017 and the Blue beyond.
HE SAID IT
“‘Bolts’ actually said he’d like to watch some vision with me on Thursday . . . so I went to his office and he and ‘SOS’ were there. But there was no vision to be watched – it was just ‘congratulations, you’re making your debut’ – and I was really excited.”
– David Cuningham on getting the call-up for the Round 21 match against Brisbane at the Gabba.
THEY SAID IT
“David’s got the ability to burst away from stoppages and can quickly transfer the ball from inside the pack to the outside. On top of that he’s really clean with possessions and he’s a good decision maker.”
– Carlton's GM of List Management and Strategy Stephen Silvagni in assessing Cuningham’s on-field talent.
SEASON HIGHLIGHT
The recipient of sidelined captain Marc Murphy’s mentoring, Cuningham was a welcome sight on the paddock for Carlton’s last three contests.
Those present caught glimpse of Cuningham’s sublime talents in moments which truly vindicated Carlton’s calling of his name as a national draftee at selection 23.
And they can rest assured that Cuningham is modeling his game on the game’s best. As he said at the time of his drafting: “He (Judd) was a superstar through the stoppages, and if there’s anyone I try to model my game on, it’s him."
