In summary:

Midfielder Harry Cunningham enjoyed one of the most consistent seasons of his career in 2018.

The 24-year-old played all 23 games, made his 100^th AFL appearance and averaged a career-high 18 possessions per match.

Speed has always been the cornerstone of Cunningham’s game and his outside run complements to a tee the uncompromised toughness of Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker at the coalface of the contest.

But midfield coach Brett Kirk brought to light his exceptional game sense, versatility and communication ahead of his 100^th match.

Next season will mark Cunningham’s eighth in red and white.

What the numbers say:

Games: 23

Goals: 7

Kicks: 251

Handballs: 171

Disposals: 422

Contested possessions: 111

Clearances: 30

Inside 50s: 57

Marks: 106

Tackles: 78

AFL Fantasy: 75.0 (average)

Best performance:

Round 21: Sydney Swans v Melbourne, MCG

Cunningham produced a starring display as the Swans beat the Demons by nine points in Round 21, raking in 20 touches, nine marks and a goal at the MCG. He kicked the first Swans goal of the second quarter as they stormed to seven second-term majors to the Demons’ one.

Milestone:

Playing 100^th game

Cunningham notched game 100 as Sydney clinched a thrilling two-point win over Collingwood at the SCG in Round 20, an unforgettable victory that fell on a highly special night. While close mate Alex Johnson made an emotional return to the AFL after 2136 days in the wilderness, the Swans celebrated South Melbourne’s 1918 premiership victory over Collingwood, an occasion 100 years in the making. Cunningham was one of three Swans to bring up 100 games in 2018.

What they said:

Cunningham

“Going into the last pre-season I had a chat with the coaches and saw a spot in the midfield to use a bit of outside urn. I was pretty happy to be able to play every game and play the majority in that wing spot and in the midfield." 

Kirk

“He’s always been very disciplined, very strong defensively, covers well, supports, does a lot of things that probably don’t go noticed when people are watching the game. But inside the four walls he’s very strong in that aspect. How he’s been able to develop his game is to go both ways – to not only be defensive and get all the structures right and be disciplined, but then to be able to hurt the opposition. That’s his weapon.”

In pictures:

Harry Cunningham celebrates kicking a goal in Sydney's thrilling win over North Melbourne in Round 17.

Harry Cunningham and Alex Johnson revel in the elation of the heart-stopping win over Collingwood in Round 20.

Harry Cunningham gets in the spirit of training.