UNQUESTIONABLY, Tegan Cunningham has been one of the stories of the second AFLW season.

Having never played a game entering this season – her first game was a practice match against Collingwood at Olympic Park Oval in January (where she kicked three goals) – Cunningham has since played every game for Melbourne and been one of the best performers in the AFLW season.

Entering the final round, Cunningham is second on the AFLW goalkicking table, and is now a pivotal part of Melbourne’s make-up, as it pushes towards a Grand Final.

But to think the 30-year-old would be in this position, personally and from a team perspective, even Cunningham said “you’d have to pinch me”.

“I can’t believe we’re in this situation really. The winner gets through and the loser is done,” she told melbournefc.com.au.

“You want to control your own fate – that’s the one thing I’ve learned. You definitely want to get the wins, so you’re locked in – you don’t want to rely on other teams to win or lose.

“Early on, when we had those two losses, we were probably thinking about the week after and who we were playing. We’re just looking forward to Saturday [against the Western Bulldogs at VU Whitten Oval] and giving everything that we’ve got.”

Last round, Cunningham displayed outstanding courage, when she kicked three goals in Melbourne’s 35-point win over Carlton at Ikon Park – after suffering a nasty head knock the week before against the Brisbane Lions at Casey Fields.

Still sporting the bruises on her nose and face, entering round seven, Cunningham and Lion Nicole Hildebrand collided in a contest, which left both players shaken, as the key forward explained.  

“I know that football’s a contact sport, but to be hit like that – we didn’t really prepare for it. I am fine, but it could’ve been a lot worse. I’m very fortunate that it is a little bit of a fractured nose and a few black eyes, but I’m good to go,” Cunningham said.

“It didn’t restrain me from playing on the weekend, so that’s something that I’m quite grateful for. I’m OK though – I’m tracking along.

“Credit to both of us – we both went for the footy and that’s what happens. That’s what you prepare yourself for – it’s part of the game, and everyone who puts their foot on the field gives 100 per cent and that’s what can happen.”

Cunningham said Hildebrand reached out to her after the incident.

“She sent me an Instagram message to make sure I was OK, which is always nice, and I obviously returned the favour to make sure she was OK. It was nice [to receive that],” she said.

“You go out there and you want to win, but you do care about other people on the field. Injuries are part of the game, but at the same time, you don’t want to go out there and see anyone get injured.

“I didn’t really get a chance to have a look at her when it happened, as I had a lot of blood coming out [of my nose], so I naturally got more of the spotlight than her, but I’m sure she was in just as much pain as I was.”

The former WNBL player said one of the biggest adjustments this year was making the switch from basketball to the AFLW competition.  

“Slowly but surely, I’m getting more comfortable on the football field,” she said.

“I think it’s really starting to show. I’m trying to embrace the contact more than avoid it, but I’m just trying to have fun.

“I’ve come from basketball, where it is a lot different and there is a ref normally in control of the game. There is a foul for every little bit of contact you get, but on the football field, it’s a little bit different. I’m trying to adjust, and every week [I] try and get a little bit better.”

Still, Cunningham said she couldn’t have asked for a better start to her career.

“I always say I’m fortunate to play with a great midfield – so my job is pretty easy when they’re kicking the ball the way they do to me. I’ve just got to make sure I finish and reward their hard work,” she said.

“I’ve managed to play every game, which is nice and I think every game is starting to get a little bit more comfortable and a little bit better.

“There were a few games where I wasn’t as great as I could’ve been, so it’s good to reflect on those, and make sure that I’m heading in the right direction and constantly improve. That’s what anyone wants in this situation – just constant improvement.”

Looking ahead to Melbourne’s make-or-break game against the Dogs, Cunningham said she would prepare as normal.

“I’ll just try and stick to the routine. I usually ride to the game with Harriet [Cordner], so I’m sure we’ll definitely do that again,” she said.

“We’ll just relax and enjoy it – this is what you train for and you do all of the hard work and pre-season for.

“It’s important to embrace it and don’t be afraid by what we’re going to feel – it’s part of the game. It’s do-or-die, so you’ve got to give everything and hope that we get the victory on the day.”