After being recently elevated to the Swans senior list, Cunningham believes he needs to lift his defensive game in order to push for senior selection in 2013.
Speaking to SwansTV after training on Wednesday, Cunningham said he was determined to improve his all-round game.
“(The coaches) told me that I needed to work on my defensive side,” he said.
“They know that I’ve got the offensive side and attack to match it in the AFL, it’s just my defensive side that I have to work on, so in the off-season I worked really hard on the strength side of my game so I can play on any opponent at the AFL level.”
“I also need to work on just my endurance and keep working on my speed, which are all assets of the game that you need to keep working on over the off-season to play in the AFL.”
Cunningham, who made his AFL debut in round one this season against GWS, said his aim for 2013 was to add to his games tally with the Swans.
“It was pretty exciting to get my first game for the year, but I did want to play a few more games so this year my aim will definitely be to play more than one game,” he said.
“All the hard work has to start in the off-season so hopefully it pays off next season and I’ll be pushing my name up there for the senior 22.”
Cunningham just entered into his third week of pre-season training, with the majority of the Swans one-to-eight-year players now back at the club.
Celebrating his 19th birthday today, Cunningham said this year’s premiership win has inspired the club’s younger players to step up their efforts this pre-season.
“We know we won the Grand Final, but we definitely know there are improvements to be made and we’re moving forward to take those steps,” he said.
“It was so exciting to watch (the Grand Final) and it just gives you that extra drive for the season.
“I’ve been trying to work really hard just to get that success and I suppose every player aims for that, so I’m working extra hard just to get the feeling that the boys had this year.
“It’s always tough and as most people know, pre-season has always been tough when it comes to AFL life.
“We’re all working really, really hard which we need to do.”
Cunningham will take part in the ongoing premiership celebrations when he returns to his home town of Wagga Wagga as part of Sydney Swan Premiership Cup Tour this weekend.
The Turvey Park junior said the Cup Tour was a chance for Riverina residents to get up close with the Swans’ silverware.
“It’s definitely exciting to go back and give a bit back to the Riverina and I hope they get a big turnout to the MTC races and they can come along and have a look at the cup,” he said.
“It’s good that they get to do a bit of a tour with the cup because everyone gets to look at it, I think it’s great, especially coming from a country town because sometimes you don’t get that chance.
“It’s definitely going to be good to get back home and show them a bit about it.”
