Collingwood defender Billy Frampton should be included in the All-Australian squad, according to his coach Craig McRae.
Frampton led an inexperienced defensive unit in Sunday's 19-point win over West Coast at Optus Stadium, headed by fellow key pillars in Liam Puncher (six games) and Noah Howes (debutant).
The Pies have been without captain Darcy Moore for the majority of the year, and lost Jeremy Howe (arm) and Harry Perryman (hamstring) to injury, as well as Jordan De Goey (glute), Patrick Lipinski (calf) and Scott Pendlebury (calf).
Brayden Maynard (knee/hamstring) was also missing from the clash.
"I don't watch all the others that play similar roles. But value to our team - he's an All-Australian squad member for sure," McRae said.
"It was one of his best games, and I'm just so proud of him the way he's just attacking the contest.
"He just looks ferocious. There's so many times in that third quarter when it was going down there, and he was just the guy.
"Normally he's got Howe and Darcy Moore next to him.
"But (now) he's got Liam Puncher playing his (sixth) game, and he's got Noah Howes playing his first game."
Frampton was critical in shutting down Cooper Duff-Tytler and Jack Williams, whilst also helping direct his troops.
McRae also lauded his charges as the club locked up a finals spot, and are still in the race for the top six, with clashes against Brisbane and Hawthorn to come.
De Goey and Pendlebury are a chance to return to the senior side to face the Hawks, but the Pies will largely be under-manned.
"This group continually just turns up and fights for the jumper, and you saw that in the last bit where (Jack) Crisp gets his fingernail on a ball that's on the goal line," McRae said.
"Or young (Liam) Puncher going back with the ball and putting his body on the line with two or three minutes to go.
"This group fights, fights for the jumper, fights for each other. So that's a belief that's been built over the whole year.
"It's a big win. It's the youngest team we've picked in the last two to three years, and it just shows us some depth and guys that really want to play for the jumper and for our fans."
Superstar Nick Daicos also heaped reward for his match-winning performance.
"He's that diligent and professional in his game, and his desire to win, we want to follow that," McRae said.
"He just drags players with him at times, and his work rate is enormous.
"Young people watching at home today or watching live would have seen how hard he works, and his game's gone to another level. He takes us to places that we want to get to."
