YES, it’s another of those end-of-year review things. It’s probably a bit clichéd, but it’s that time of year when we wrap up the season and see exactly how everyone performed.

It's no secret that this season at Sydney FC has been underwhelming, but there have been a few gems. Over the next few blogs I'll take a look at the first team, whilst the more successful Youth Team can wait until their season is over in a few weeks time.

This week we'll touch on the few players who did perform (or at least performed in parts). Next time out I'll take a look at those who didn't quite perform over the course of the season.

THE GOOD

Terry McFlynn: My vote for SFC's player of the year. As the season started, T-Mac's role in the side looked in danger due to the threats of Musialik and Colosimo coming in to the side. But as you'd expect, he fought all the way and seemed to improve every game. Adding an element of attack to his standard hustling and hard-tackling defense, he's now a much more complete footballer - worthy of just about any A-League midfield.  Any doubts about Terry's long-term future with the club should be put at ease by a likely captain or vice-captain role next year.

Shannon Cole: The young man from Sydney's inner west is possibly the find of the season. He suffered a dip in form throughout the year (as most State League players have done), and the experiment to convert him in to a full-time fullback didn't work out, but overall he's had a solid debut year. With his set pieces and overall game back on track, expect a better year again next year with a full club pre-season under his belt.

THE AVERAGE:

Alex Brosque: Alex hates playing on the wing, and he's not particularly good at it. Not because he's a bad player, but because of his inability to hit the by-line and cross the ball. Brosque's entire game is cutting inside and passing the ball around the box, and by year's end, his play out wide was predictable. The biggest downside of SFC's lopsided recruitment was that he was forced out wide for most of this season. However he still managed to top the league's assist charts, and was still one of Sydney's better outlets. Sadly though, he can do much better and we should expect more. With any luck he can look forward to a better year next year, being able to come inside and attack goal more, hopefully to the great effect as seen last weekend vs Newcastle

Stuart Musialik: Much like Brosque, we should expect a lot more from Musialik... But that's not to say he had an awful season. Kept the midfield ticking over all year, managing only the one suspension early on. But his performances at time were just the bare minimum of what he can achieve, and we can now hope for a rejuvenated Stu pushing further in next year's rejuvenated squad. Disco Stu can be Australia's #1 defensive midfielder, but he needs to keep showing it.

Adam Casey: Despite a year horribly ruined by injury (again), Casey was one of our better players the few times he was available. With a star performance at home against the Mariners his undoubted highlight, Adam can only hope to remain fit next year and push for a first-team birth on the right-side of the midfield/attack. It won't be easy with the talent coming in to the squad, but he's a handy squad player and deserving of his new contract.

Brendon Santalab: Again like Casey, a season ruined by injury, but for the handful of games played Santa shone as a forward. Not because he's a particularly good player, not because he's a great poacher, but because his workrate and ethic stood out in a team which had little. Two goals, and a lot of nuisance to the opposition saw Santalab snare a first-team role and a payrise at North Queensland. I can't say I'll miss him (as I think over the course of a year he'll prove ordinary), but I can say he was fun to watch in parts. If anything, more players could learn from his work ethic.

Ivan Necevski: I'll admit it - he's proven me wrong. After a shocking start to the season, with poor form in the pre-season trials and the opening National Youth League Games, I had written Ivan off as second-choice at best. But upon being given his chance due to Clint Bolton's failings, Ivan has stepped up. Aside from one key error (spilling the ball v.s. Queensland), I've felt comfortable with Ivan in goals compared to the man he replaced. Far more stable under the high ball than Bolton, and coming across as more of a team player, I am very happy he's been rewarded with a contract renewal for next year. Long live Krazy Ivan.

Sadly, those seven players are the only ones who I'd consider average or above. Next time out we'll cover the players who didn't perform quite as well over the course of the year.