The third-year Swan has played every game this season and produced a number of impressive performances including recent career-highs in possessions (22 against Richmond in round 14) and goals (four against Gold Coast in round 12).
Cunningham produced another consistent performance on Saturday night in the Swans’ 46-point win over GWS, with the 20-year-old collecting 17 touches, seven marks and operating at over 82 per cent disposal efficiency.
Recruited to the Swans as a rookie in 2012 and promoted to the senior list the following year, Cunningham told SwansTV he couldn’t be prouder to achieve the nomination after taking the long road to senior football.
“I suppose coming off the rookie list is all about working hard, so to get recognised is a privilege and an honour,” Cunningham said.
“It’s just a bit of a reward for the hard work.
“This really is my first year playing at the elite level, and I’ve been able to string a few games together now, which is good and getting this nomination is a bonus.”
Hailing from Wagga Wagga in New South Wales’ Riverina region, Cunningham was eligible for zone selection by GWS in their inaugural season, but was overlooked in the 2011 National Draft.
Cunningham was then offered an opportunity with the Swans on the advice of Recruiting Manager Kinnear Beatson, who was impressed with his speed and versatility.
“He’s a young player who a couple of years ago our Recruiting Manager, Kinnear Beatson, was really keen to get here,” Swans coach John Longmire recalled.
“We thought he could play a number of different roles for us with his speed, and he’s proven that to be the case.”
Cunningham has demonstrated his versatility this season, with roles in the midfield, forward line, and also tagging roles on Fremantle’s Stephen Hill, Essendon’s Brent Stanton and North Melbourne veteran Brent Harvey.
Longmire paid tribute to Cunningham’s work rate this season and his persistence to develop into a versatile player for the Swans.
“To be able to come from the rookie list and now be getting the most out of himself is a real credit to Harry,” he said.
“Harry has been able to persist and has had great belief in himself which is terrific.
“He had a fantastic pre-season and he’s a terrific young bloke who has worked really hard at his game.
“It’s a real credit to him and we’re really pleased he’s been able to get the nomination.”
Cunningham’s nomination comes more than a year after the club’s last AFL Rising Star nod, with Tom Mitchell earning a nomination in round 11 last season. The Swans also boast two current players who took out the overall award in Adam Goodes (1999) and Dan Hannebery (2010).
While admitting he was a long way away from achieving the success of his predecessors, Cunningham said he hoped his nomination was a sign of things to come.
“We don’t always look for the individual achievements, but because the team has been going so well, it’s given me a lot of confidence to be able to play my role for the team and I’ve been building on some good form over the last couple of weeks,” he said.
“I’ve been happy with the way that I’m going, and the team has been going well, which is the main thing.
“What I’ve got to do to build confidence is just keep playing my role for the team and that’s what I’ll continue to do if I continue to get a game.”
