The All-Australian selection panel is set for a personnel change in 2022, with Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes to step into one of two open spots.
All-Australian selectors will also cast votes for the Rising Star Award, as well as Mark and Goal of the Year, with Cornes set to add 300 games of experience to the committee.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan is a non-voting chairman on the panel, with Andrew Dillon, Chris Johnson, Glen Jakovich, Warren Tredrea, Cameron Ling, Jude Bolton, Matthew Richardson, Nick Riewoldt and Kevin Bartlett all part of the selection process last year.
Both Richardson and Tredrea are set to step down from their duties within the panel for the 2022 season, with Cornes having accepted an offer to fill a void.
Both Riewoldt and Bolton joined the panel at the beginning of last season, with the former having detailed the selection process of last year's All-Australian side after further criticism arose in regards to midfield selections, namely the wing positions.
"This was a really interesting debate, and it was very robust," Riewoldt told Triple M last August. "Because the wing's a real position now.
"Probably 10 years ago you could have had this conversation around wingers and you would have said 'well they're all just midfielders'."
Blues gun Sam Walsh and Bombers star Zach Merrett were named on the wings last season, despite the pair having spent 11% and 4% on the wings in 2021 respectively.
The likes of Christian Petracca, Patrick Dangerfield, Dustin Martin and Marcus Bontempelli have also found themselves selected away from the midfield in recent years, with the star quartet having been added as forwards across 2020 and 2021.
Cornes now looks set to step into the hot-seat for the year ahead, with the 39-year-old stating his addition will add a focus on having players picked "in the positions they’ve played".
“I did get a call from the AFL… I jumped at it, it’s a great honour, I’m in," Cornes said on SEN.
“It’s the Rising Star (selection panel) as well, (plus) Goal and Mark of the Year, so it’s a real thrill, I was honoured to be asked.
“So, looking forward to keeping a close eye across all players and passionate about picking players in the right position.
“It’s very easy to pick 10 midfielders, but you want to pick the players in the positions they’ve played."
The AFL is yet to confirm its selection panel for the 2022 season, with Cornes unsure as to whether someone else will join him in replacing Richardson and Tredrea.
AFL National Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan is also part of the panel, however only holds a place in the voting for the Rising Star Award.
