Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has called on All-Australian selectors to pick players in specialist roles and insists breakout star Massimo D'Ambrosio be in the frame.
D'Ambrosio has proved one of the competition's most outstanding recruits in his first year with the Hawks, averaging 20.3 disposals on a wing.
But Mitchell is concerned the 21-year-old former Essendon speedster will miss out on team-of-the-year honours if selectors squeeze too many inside midfielders into their squad.
"My preference with the All-Australian team is that they just pick the best players for the positions, not (excess midfielders)," Mitchell said.
"I hope (D'Ambrosio is picked). It would be a great story if he was.
"I would assume that Errol Gulden has one wing and then, if I had to guess, they'll put a midfielder out on the other wing despite him probably never playing on the wing for the majority of the season.
"But if they choose two genuine wingmen, then he (D'Ambrosio) certainly deserves to be in the conversation."
On Thursday, D'Ambrosio was named on the bench in the AFL Players Association's '22Under22' team, which acknowledges the competition's brightest young stars.
Sydney gun Gulden was picked on one wing, with Port Adelaide midfielder Jason Horne-Francis named on the other.
Last year, the All-Australian team featured Gulden and Collingwood's Josh Daicos on the wings.
The 2024 team will be named on August 29, during the bye week leading into the finals.
