Why the modern game demands two All-Australian wingmen - and the Hawk set to benefit

Former Adelaide star Josh Jenkins is adamant that the All-Australian team must have two wingmen.

And he has picked out breakout Hawk Massimo D’Ambrosio as the man to partner Sydney’s Errol Gulden in this year’s side.

Jenkins believes the position deserves as much respect as, for example, the ruck, where a specialist player would always be selected.

“Massimo sealed his place in the All-Australian team on the weekend as a genuine winger,” Jenkins told SEN’s The Run Home.

“Today’s game demands that side has two genuine wingmen.

“Errol (Gulden) is in. It hasn’t been a great year for wingmen, but it also hasn’t been a great year for ruckmen and one of them is still going to get in.

“If they just put another midfielder (on the wing), there’s got to be a level of respect for the position. The person has to have at least spent some time there. There needs to be a threshold, even if it’s low. It’s got to be at least 20 per cent.

“We’ve heard them say they want to pick the team with a bit more week-to-week substance. They’ve got to now walk the walk on that.

“I would pick two wingers.”

D’Ambrosio has averaged 19.4 disposals and 4.7 marks per game this season for the Hawks after moving across from Essendon in the trade period.