DAVID Cuningham made a promising return to action on the weekend for the Northern Blues.

After a career-best start to 2019, Cuningham had essentially been sidelined since the mid-season bye, playing just his second game since mid-June in the VFL on the weekend.

It had been a frustrated few months for Cuningham, who - having re-signed at Carlton for a further three years - was making a name for himself at AFL level.

Speaking to Carlton Coaches’ Corner, development coach Jason Davenport said to see the speedster back in action was “really encouraging”.

'He’s had a pretty injury-interrupted season to date,” Davenport said.

“It was nice to see him get back to a stage where, physically, he was able to perform. He did exactly that.

“The injuries he had seen this year impacted his form around his speed and change of direction, so to see him back to his best was really encouraging.”

Playing the majority of the game as an inside midfielder, Cuningham collected 17 disposals and laid five tackles in the narrow defeat to Box Hill.

From the outset, his energy at the contest was a feature: Davenport said Cuningham brought his strengths to the table.

“His attributes are no secret: speed, power and his ability to break lines and change direction,” he said.

“They’re what will make him a great player at AFL level for a long period of time."

The first half of 2019 looked like a breakout year for Cuningham, averaging just under 17 disposals and a goal a game as a dangerous mid-forward.

Looking ahead to 2020 and beyond, Davenport envisaged that Cuningham would be someone who could perform multiple roles with aplomb in Navy Blue.

“Dave has worked really hard on his forward craft, pushing hard to get forward and either provide pressure of hit the scoreboard,” he said.

“His skillset complements both areas of the game. If we need some outside speed and power in the middle of the ground, we’ll use him there.”