Recently retired North Melbourne midfielder Ben Cunnington is set to feature for local Victorian country team Warrnambool next year.

Cunnington called time on his AFL career near the cessation of the 2023 season, with the 32-year-old's 238th and final appearance in the blue and white coming against Essendon in Round 22.

A two-time Syd Barker Medal winner, Cunnington ended his career with the 20th most games for North Melbourne, who he joined in 2009 as the fifth overall selection at the National Draft.

Cunnington would make his debut the following year against Hawthorn and would play 18 games in his maiden season - quickly cementing himself as a staple player for the club.

He would earn his first best and fairest title in 2014, with his second coming a further five years later in what was a career-best campaign for Cunnington, who also earned a spot in the All-Australian squad.

The Cobden junior would miss the second half of the 2021 season and a majority of the following year due to a battle with testicular cancer, which he would twice overcome to make his return to the field.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - JULY 07: Ben Cunnington of the Kangaroos celebrates a goal kicked by Cameron Zurhaar of the Kangaroos during the 2019 AFL round 16 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the St Kilda at Blundstone Arena ground on July 07, 2019 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The hard-nosed ball-winner is now set to continue his heroic career in the Hampden Football League in 2024, with the Warrnambool Standardย revealing Cunnington has signed on with the Blues for next year.

Cunnington will bring a wealth of AFL experience and a hard edge to the local club in his first year out of the AFL system in almost 20 years.

Warrnambool finished eighth on the HFNL seniors ladder in 2023, recording seven wins and 11 losses for the season.