There’s questions on Brownlow Medal contenders Nick Daicos and Marcus Bontempelli “trying to chase votes” instead of resting in fourth quarters to help their respective sides’ premiership pushes.

Kangaroos great David King has urged flag contenders to manage their stars as best they can on the run home to ensure they have their full ensemble available in September.

It comes after Sydney rested big guns Isaac Heeney (15 minutes), Brodie Grundy (21), Tom Papley (21) and Charlie Curnow (nine) in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s blowout win over GWS.

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Over the last six weeks, Brisbane (26) has used the fewest players in the competition, followed by Fremantle (27) and Collingwood (28), while Sydney (32) sits at the other end of the spectrum as it navigates a heavier injury toll.

With four rounds left in the home and away season, King says the management of stars is vital.

“It’s about flag management now and we are seeing teams do it,” he said on Fox Footy’s The First Crack.

“The biggest luxury you’ve got is to throw the banana lounge on the bench in the fourth quarter.

“Fremantle is the ones I’ve been on, because they have to do (extra) travel.

“It’s a real mental battle, too. Bank the game, take the four points and rest your stars as much as you can … no risks.

“It is the only way to win the flag. If you lose one on the way in when the game is shot to bits with 10 minutes to go in a meaningless fourth quarter, then more fool you.

“Because the margins between Brisbane, Fremantle, hawthorn, Geelong and Melbourne is (small). Lose two stars and you’re gone.”

Marcus Bontempelli and Nick Daicos (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS

That brought King to the Daicos and Bontempelli discussion.

Daicos played 100 per cent game time in the final quarter of Collingwood’s 34-point win over Adelaide, while Bontempelli spent 84 per cent time on the ground in the fourth term of the Bulldogs’ 57-point smashing of Richmond.

While King had no issues with Daicos playing out the game against the Crows when the game was in the balance, the dual premiership Kangaroo questioned why the Pies superstar wasn’t pulled late.

“Do these clubs still think they’re in the premiership race? So, why is Nick Daicos playing 100 per cent of the fourth quarter?,” King posed.

“I know he’s done it across the course of the year, he’s done that nine times. He’s a magnet they haven’t really had to manage.

“Is he out there for the Brownlow, or are they out there to a win a flag?

“I think when the game was decided, you have to protect him. Every team is targeting Nick Daicos.

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“I wonder when they start saying: ‘We want you to win the Brownlow, right? But we want to win finals, as well. We’ve got to get you there in reasonable order’.

“He’s carrying a shoulder. I just wonder whether that will be a prime focus.”

Meanwhile, Bontempelli returned for the final 10 minutes against the Tigers and kicked two late goals when the game was well and truly over.

“Bontempelli goes back on for that last 10 junk minutes. What’s the point of that?,” King posed.

Asked if he thinks Bontempelli was also trying to chase Brownlow votes, King said: “Of course they are. Honestly, what else are they doing?

“Have you spoken to any of the superstars lately? Of course that’s what they think.”