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. 

9. Steve Corica

He had to wait to be acknowledged with the captains’ armband for Sydney, but he was always a sky-blue leader. The former Wolverhampton legend came to Australia with a marquee reputation – but happily played second fiddle to first Dwight Yorke, then Mark Rudan.

Although ultimately, for the club he loved, his contribution far exceeded them both. Perhaps most impressive was his versatility for Sydney - his longevity was product of an excellent ability to read the game, which enabled his transition into a more central role in his later years.

Captaining the side as an attacking midfielder, he led Sydney to a the A-League double in 2009/10, although heartbreakingly Corica missed the final due a season-ending hamstring injury.

Fittingly for a player who never quite got the recognition he deserved during his career, Corica became the first inductee into Sydney FC’s hall-of-fame in 2015.

8. Nikolai Topor Stanley

It would be hard to believe, if it weren’t so poetically fitting, that the towering centreback never quite settled before he found the Wanderers.

But the wanderer in him subsided - to devastating effect - when he found his home in Western Sydney. The rest, as they say, is history.

It’s easy to overlook how the commitment of players like Topor-Stanley went a long way to forming the Wanderland ethos surrounding Western Sydney today.

The jewel in Tony Popovic’s glittering defensive crown, Topor-Stanley’s consistency, aerial prowess and un-abating commitment led the club to the 2012/13 A-League Premiership and a famous Asian Champions League victory – capping off one of the greatest underdog stories in Australian football history.

7. John Hutchinson

If captains are judged by trophies, Hutchinson commanding the Mariners to their first ever A-League championship in 2013 – in his first season as captain - stacks up there with the best.

If they’re judged by loyalty and longevity, there are few that can match his 228 league appearances for the Gosford club, giving 100 per cent through thick and thin.

If it’s about leading by example, Hutch’s never-say-die mentality, famous work-rate and devotion to his club is the stuff of legend. He could score goals, time crucial tackles and play searching through-balls with ease.

But in the end he’ll be remembered best for what he means to the Yellow & Navy fans – he’s a symbol of the club, who in their darkest times acts as a reminder of everything good the Mariners represent in Australian football.  

6. Dwight Yorke

The A-League’s first true superstar, while everyone recognised Yorke’s talent upon his arrival at Sydney FC, its doubtful many realised just how crucial a leader he would become.

Pierre Littbarski gamble to transition the A-League’s most prestigious striker to a defensive midfielder paid dividends, as Sydney won the first ever A-League Championship under Yorke’s guidance.

Despite returning to the Premier League after only one season – where he would retain his defensive leadership – Yorke’s quality and commitment set a precedent for all future A-League marquees to follow.

5. Alessandro Del Piero

The biggest name to ever grace the A-League by some margin, what ADP did for Sydney FC can only be surmounted by what he did for the A-League as a whole.

It takes a very special player to make it onto this list having never guided his club to a trophy, but nobody’s ever doubted Del Piero’s superiority.

In only two years, Del Piero injected another level of excitement, class, credibility and entertainment into the entire competition. In terms of leading by example, the Italian maestro’s 24 goals in 48 appearances says it all.

But the reason he’s one of the greatest captains in A-League history is because at 37-years-old, having accomplished everything there is in the modern game, he still genuinely gave his all.

At times he single-handedly carried a side teeming with weaknesses, but he always did it with relentless positivity and calm assurance. Grazie Ale.

4. Alex Wilkinson

Central Coast’s longest serving captain, 206 competitive appearances across seven seasons and the man who brought two A-League premierships to the smallest club in Australia - Wilkinson will arguably go down as the greatest Mariner of all time.

He was vastly loyal, with unwavering maturity and a sumptuous tackling ability that saw him become a Socceroos fixture at the 2014 World Cup. Under Wilko, the Mariners just never seemed like a small club.

He also captained the side to three A-League finals, through two Asian Champions League campaigns and played a crucial role in the development of a prodigious Socceroos defender named Trent Sainsbury.

Someone who oozes leadership on and off the field, to this day Wilkinson’s defensive excellence is unsurpassed.   

3. Eugene Galekovic

He may be the only goalkeeper, but Galekovic’s position on this list couldn’t be any safer.

Like the very best captains, Galekovic has grown to symbolise Adelaide United, yet the fact he’s managed to do so from between the sticks makes his contribution all the more incredible.

Galekovic has always shown formidable loyalty and conviction as a captain. Adelaide’s number one remained the leader of a struggling side for several years before leading the Reds to the A-League double last season, becoming the first goalkeeper to do so.

Four-time A-League goalkeeper of the year and two-time Adelaide United player of the season, Galekovic has proven to be ageless, adapting seamlessly into Adelaide’s possession style.

Cool, calm and collected as every captain should be, with an intimidating presence – with 223 appearances and counting, Galekovic will go down as one of the greatest leaders in the competitions history.

2. Kevin Muscat

Words can’t describe Muscat’s influence on the A-League. Rival fans certainly have descriptions, although most of them couldn’t be published here, but regardless of your views on Muscat - there are few footballers in the world that have had a greater influence on one club.

The most polarising figure in A-League history, Muscat’s been there since the very beginning, from Melbourne Victory’s inaugural captain, to assistant coach, and then manager for the past four years.

A veteran of 138 league appearances and winner of two A-League doubles as a player - before adding another as a coach – Muscat and Victory are eponymous with each other.

With three Victory medals, two PFA Team of the Season awards and the captain of the PFA Team of the Decade - the fact that Muscat’s legacy in Melbourne cannot be overshadowed by other incidents alone is testament to his incredible captaincy.

1. Matt McKay

A reliable but artful midfielder, with composure, delicacy and an un-matched engine - McKay captained the greatest side in A-League history - his guidance compelling Brisbane Roar to an Australian sporting-record 36 games unbeaten.

This in addition to skippering the club to their only two Premiers Plates, both times securing the double.

He holds Brisbane’s all-time appearance record with 221 league matches, and is a two-time Roar Players Player of the Year, a PFA Footballer of the Year and member of the PFA Team of the Decade.

All that, and at 34-years-old, he doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere yet.

It’s extremely rare that someone comes along with McKay’s set of leadership attributes fullstop, but to boast as pronounced skill as McKay simultaneously is almost unheard of.

He’d get into this list on guidance alone - but he’s also the greatest footballer in the Roar’s history.