Ben Cunnington was handed the No.10 jumper famously worn by two-time premiership rover Anthony Stevens – so it’s only fitting he’s a tough inside midfielder.

Ninth in the AFL for total clearances in 2014, Cunnington is a former No.5 draft pick who at 23 is on track for a second consecutive top-five placing in North Melbourne’s AFL best-player award.

Cunnington’s 11.1 contested possessions per game trails only skipper Andrew Swallow (12.1) at the Kangaroos this season.

But it wasn’t always that way. And it may not be so in Saturday night’s elimination final against Essendon at the MCG either.

His early years were spent as a forward and the 185cm, 87kg utility was given a chance to try his luck as a goalsneak in round 21 against the Western Bulldogs.

The 96-game veteran’s career-best tally of four goals was followed by fellow midfielder Jack Ziebell’s four goals against Adelaide in round 22.

With crumber Brent Harvey to serve one more week of a three-match ban, North coach Brad Scott has the option of throwing midfielders such as Ziebell, Cunnington and Daniel Wells forward against Essendon.

“We’ve always had it in the back of our minds as a playing group and as coaches,” Cunnington told AAP this week.

“Right from the day we got drafted, Jack Ziebell and I in particular, having played juniors as a forward, we’ve always had it in the back of our minds.

“Generally we’re midfielders but lately going forward it has been damaging so it’s a weapon.

“I played one year in the seniors for Cobden when I was 15 and 16 and after that I played at Geelong Falcons for two years.

“I’ve always had the confidence. At training I’m confident in my marking.”