Cancer survivors Ben Cunnington and Sam Docherty have shared a heartfelt embrace in a moment described as “more than football”.
Docherty, Carlton’s former captain, and Cunnington, one of North Melbourne’s most prolific on-ballers, have both been forced to deal with bouts of testicular cancer in the last 12 months, with Cunnington still sidelined after the discovery of a secondary cancer last November.
Prior to Carlton’s 17. 12. (114) to 10. 4. (64) win over North, cameras showed a heartfelt embrace between the duo, who have proved to be an inspiration for so many fellow cancer sufferers.
READ MORE: Fearless young Dockers breach Cats’ fortress
READ MORE: Raiders coach fights back tears after collapse
READ MORE: Waratahs stun Super Rugby giants in epic boilover
“A moment pre-game that was more than football,” said Fox Footy’s Anthony Hudson.
“An inspiration I’m sure to each other and to so many people out there. We hope to see Ben return to the field later in the season as well, fingers crossed. Docherty has certainly been amazing with his quick recovery.”
“They’ve clearly got a special bond understanding what each other has gone through,” Hawthorn icon Jordan Lewis added.
“Good to see Ben here, he looks healthy. Docherty is obviously out on the field, it’s a remarkable effort.”
Docherty stunned Carlton with his remarkable recovery from a round of chemotherapy in the second half of 2021, putting together a strong pre-season before he was named in the Blues’ line-up for its season-opener against Richmond in March.
The 28-year-old has been in unbelievable form since returning to the field, and has appeared in every single one of his side’s matches, averaging 27.7 disposals per game through the first six rounds of the season.
North Melbourne is optimistic that Cunnington will be able to take part in the back half of this season, but has placed no timetable on the 30-year-old.
“The priority for him is just to enjoy life, be healthy and spend some time with his three beautiful kids. He’s missed that probably for the last few months over Christmas,” Kangaroos captain Jack Ziebell told Triple M in March.
“Hopefully we can see him in the last few months at the back end of the year but there’s absolutely no pressure from the club’s point of view, or from myself as a friend or a teammate. We just want to make sure he’s healthy and happy.
“He’s finished his treatment block and thankfully he’s starting to feel himself again.”
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
The biggest AFL trade blunders that backfired on teams involved
