Cunningham, who kicked three goals in the Swans’ 63-point win over Adelaide last Saturday, said he was in awe of Franklin’s performance against the Crows, which saw him boot a goal in every quarter and have a hand in numerous others.
Speaking from the Swans’ first training session on the SCG for the season, Cunningham said he believed Franklin’s round three performance was just a taste of what’s to come.
“It’s good when (Franklin) is up and about and playing free,” Cunningham said.
“I reckon everyone saw that on the weekend and he’s a massive asset and he creates a bit of havoc for the other teams, which is good for us.”
The 20-year-old said Franklin was also a good on-field communicator, which has come as a big help to the club’s younger, smaller forwards.
“He’s very good for myself when I’m playing in the forward line and he’s very instructional and is always communicating, which makes it a lot easier for me when I’m out there,” he said.
“What I’m there to do as a forward is create options and if I can contribute to the side by kicking goals, it’s massive for the team and it gives me a massive confidence boost.
“If he’s there creating a pack and two or three are going to him and I’m able to get to his feet if he’s not able to mark it, it helps us young, small forwards out.
“It just creates a bit of havoc and we’re able to press from there.”
Cunningham, who has played every match this season, has added more pace to the Swans’ side, which also includes the speed of Gary Rohan and Lewis Jetta.
Now in his third season at the club, Cunningham said he was beginning to understand his role and the importance of pace to the Swans’ side.
“There’s a lot of speed there and if we can get Jetts into space, or Gaz or myself it’s beneficial for the team,” he said.
“We’re all pretty young so we can look forward to the future with that.
“It’s not just when we have the footy, it’s also when we don’t have the footy with the chase down tackles and the pressure.
“It just puts the opposition team under pressure and helps our defence massively.”
Cunningham is likely to line up for the Swans in this Sunday’s SCG clash against North Melbourne, a team he grew up supporting.
While champion centre-half forward Wayne Carey was his favourite player growing up, Cunningham said that evergreen small forward Brent Harvey was still a player he looked up to.
“He’s had an amazing career and he’s still got it, so we’re definitely going to have to look out for him this weekend,” he said.
“To do what he’s done is pretty amazing and only what few have done.
“He sort of plays the position I play where he starts forward and goes through the midfield.
“I suppose just being able to go about it for a long time, he’s very smart and the way he goes about it on and off the field is something to look up to.
“He’s a great asset for North Melbourne and there’s not many like him.”
