From enchanting creators who inspired their teammates, to hard-working battlers who lead by example - when it comes to skippers, the A-League’s had them all.

There’s been trail-blazers who spawned excitement in a growing league and in the process, formed the very basis of their clubs identities. They’ve been pitted against hardened warriors, who divided Australians like no one else could, and formed everlasting rivalries on their own shoulders.

Despite all their differences, every one of these captains proved to a new generation of fans the passion, commitment and importance of Australian football - the following 12 men formed the league we have today.

The story of our captains is, in many ways, the story of our competition. Together, they’re sewn into the very fabric of the Australian game. These are the top 12 skippers in A-League history.

12. Jade North

A natural leader, and the only Indigenous footballer to captain the Socceroos, North’s contribution to the Australian game has been immense.

A tireless defender with a studious demeanour, who accounts for his lack of height with an incredible ability to read the play, North has been an A-League fixture since its formation.

Most Australians are well acquainted with North’s leadership, but it’s what he did for Newcastle Jets that secures his place on this list.

While skippers the ilk of Terry McFlynn and Jamie Coyne stuck with their clubs for twice as long, North’s legacy in Newcastle is even more important.

The Jets’ finest centreback, under North’s leadership, Newcastle achieved what many thought was impossible – dominating the 2007/08 finals to clinch their first, and to-date only, A-League Championship, against arch-rivals the Central Coast Mariners.

The Jets had lost Paul Okon, Johnny Warren medallist Nick Carle and star import Milton Rodriguez the previous season, but North’s maturity steadied the ship, before marshalling a rock-solid defence towards the most improbable achievement in A-League history.

11. Mark Milligan

Not the only former Victory captain on this list, Milligan is unique nonetheless because his club was as important to Milligan’s career as the midfielder was to Melbourne – a truly remarkable feat in itself.

In his three years in the sporting capital, Milligan evolved from a supremely talented yet languishing, belligerent young centreback to the competitions greatest defensive midfielder, and a Socceroos stalwart.

Milligan fulfilled every aspect of a captain’s role in his time with Victory. His solidity, determination, tactical nous and crucial goals culminated in the 2014/15 A-League Championship and a Joe Marston medal.

10. Andrew Durante

The man they love so much in Wellington they made him a Kiwi, Durante quickly became one of the A-League’s staunchest, most reliable centrebacks after joining the Phoenix in 2008.

A two-time Wellington Player of the Season, Durante lead the ‘Nix to its first ever finals appearance in 2010, marshalling one of the league’s most fearsome defensive partnerships with Ben Sigmund.

Now in his ninth year for the club, Durante’s remained a pillar of stability in a team blighted by inconsistency, and currently has 226 league appearances for the New Zealand side.

A steadfast motivator and role-model on and off the field, as well as one of the A-League’s most underrated defenders, Durante’s incredible importance for Wellington should never be underestimated.