Cunnington, who etched his name into Hampden league folklore after kicking 10 goals on debut as a 15-year-old, credits Wayne Walsh for instilling his strong work ethic.

The 2014 Kangaroos’ best and fairest winner will play his 150^th AFL game against Gold Coast on Saturday night – a decade on from that famous first game for Cobden.

Cunnington, 25, said Walsh helped shape his career.

Walsh, whose son Sam is an AFL Academy prospect, is now based in Geelong where he had a stint coaching Bellerine league club Ocean Grove.

“The biggest influence from the south-west would probably be my Cobden coach Wayne Walsh,” Cunnington said.

“He believed in me from a young age and he saw I had ability and talent.

“But he didn’t want me to take that for granted so he made me work hard and each week he would helped me through the games.

“Especially playing against men back there I reckon fast tracked you.”

Cunnington rates his Hampden league debut as his career highlight from his time at Cobden – a club his younger brother Sam captained before switching to rival Camperdown in 2016.

“I kicked 10 goals, so it wasn’t too bad,” he said of his first-game efforts.

“I remember going to that game Mum was more worried to get through the game rather than getting belted playing against men as I was only 15.”

Cunnington – one of five Cobden exports on AFL lists – has played at least 16 matches for North Melbourne each season since his 2010 debut.

The ball-winning midfielder is among the winless Kangaroos’ top performers this season, averaging 27.8 disposals across the first five games.

The Hampden league, which had a record seven players drafted in 2016, has already produced two AFL debutants this season.

South Warrnambool export Hugh McCluggage – the number three draft pick – has played three matches for Brisbane and Camperdown surprise packet Cedric Cox has made two appearances for the Lions.