It's not the top 50 of all-time, and it's not even the top 50 current Australians. It's the 50 who we think had the best season in 2008/9.

Of course, some top Aussies had little game time but when they did play, they impressed which is why they still make the list, albeit in the lower reaches.

And, yes, we know you disagree. That's the beauty of lists. So fire away - tell us where we went wrong and why - and if you think we missed anyone out, tell us who you would sacrifice to slot them in.

50
Rhys Williams
Age 20
Position Defender
Club Middlesbrough (England)

For a long time it looked like suitably named Rhys Williams would make his Welsh grandfather proud and play for "The Dragons". However the Perth-born youngster recently picked up the phone to Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek and pledged his allegiance to the Green and Gold, despite make 10 appearances for the Welsh U21 team. His options didn't end there either, with an Indian mother and English father, who provided him with two further potential national level alternatives.

In May the defender, who like Lucas Neill is equally comformable in the centre or on the right of the back line, publicised his Socceroos intentions. By the end of the month he was included in the squad for the "Super June" World Cup qualifiers. Verbeek was keen to secure the services of a player who has been impressing at youth level for several years in England at Middlesbrough.

Williams inked a three-year deal at Boro back in 2005 and last year signed a two year extension and was farmed out to Championship side Burnley to cut his teeth.
He was impressive in the Claret's amazing season which included knocking Fulham, Chelsea and Arsenal out of the League Cup.

The season was topped off with promotion to the Premiership, but Williams had already returned to Boro, who duly moved in the opposite direction. However after Williams' form at Burnley at the same level, Middlesbrough's disappointment could provide
a springboard for Williams' future development.

Boro are likely to clean out their deadwood and overpaid sponges, before rebuilding a fresh squad for their own promotion campaign. The new Socceroo could form a key component in a new look Championship side, enhancing his chances in a new look international side too.

"Once Australia showed a firm interest in me there was only one way it was going to go," said Williams. "I was born and bred in Australia, so it is natural that I should want to play for them.

"Pim told me all about his plans for the future and made it clear that I was going to be a part of them, so I was keen to get all the paperwork sorted as soon as possible. I can't wait to get involved."

49
Dario Vidosic
Age 22
Position Midfielder
Club FC Nuremberg (Germany)

The former Queensland Roar youngster earned a trial at his German club two years ago after some promising appearances and an eye for goals in the A-League. This season the attacking midfielder really started to realise that promise, playing a vital role in Nuremberg's promotion to the German Bundesliga. Verbeek was keen to tie the Croatian-born starlet into his plans and Vidosic was named in the Dutchman's June squad. Top flight action in Germany could boost his position next year.

48
Chris Coyne
Age 30
Position Centre-back
Club Perth Glory

While Craig Moore took his international interlude, Coyne stepped into his shoes and looked solid and reassured next to Lucas Neill at the heart of the Socceroos' defence. "He's a leader," said Verbeek. "He's a very good header and never in a panic". Coyne would probably find himself higher on the list if it wasn't for the return of Moore and infrequent appearances at English League One club Colchester. Perth-born Coyne will need more club level time to rise up this list and land that Socceroos starting spot back.

47
Matt McKay
Age 26
Position Midfielder
Club Brisbane Roar

The dimunitive midfielder has been the engine room of the Roar since the start of the
A-League. A stellar campaign last season earned him a call-up for the Socceroos' Asian Cup qualifiers and an off-season loan spell with Chinese Super League club Changchun Yatai. With a healthy haul of 13 career goals from midfield, his consistent and hard-working play has made McKay a fans' favourite in Brisbane. The 26-year old will return to his hometown in time for the fifth edition of the A-League.

46
Ljubo Milicevic
Age 28
Position Centre-back
Club Newcastle Jets

A true character of the game, Milicevic has bounced back after a disastrous spell at Melbourne Victory. The giant defender has proven he still has the ability that took him to the UEFA Champions League with FC Thun. Milicevic's passionate and commanding performances in a new-look Newcastle Jets outfit won the Hunter club a spot in the Asian Champions League's second phase. Milicevic is a ruthless defender that has speed which belies his size, and loves playing the ball out from the back . RY

45
Shane Stefanutto
Age 29
Position Left-back
Club FC Lyn Oslo (Norway)

Former Brisbane Strikers defender Stefanutto won't be as well known as other entries after spending the last five years in Norway at Lillestrom and now Lyn. His solitary Socceroos' cap came two years ago in a friendly with China, but Stef has been a regular for Lyn this season and has now found himself dragged back into the Socceroos fray with his recent call-ups. The Cairns-born defender is a potential Scott Chipperfield replacement in the waiting.

44
Michael Beauchamp
Age 28
Position Centre-back
Club AaB (Denmark)

FourFourTwo's first ever Player of the Season back in 2006, Beauchamp was a regular at the back as Central Coast Mariners progressed to the Grand Final. Europe then beckoned with a move to German club FC Nuremberg. In 2008 he switched to Danish champions AaB, but a red card on debut signalled the start of a less fruitful period. "It has certainly been a year to forget," he said last month. "Champs" might have to find a move before rising up our list.

43
David Carney
Age 25
Position Left-back
Club Sheffield United (England)

Capped 18 times for the Socceroos, Carney finds himself in the latter realms of this list after a disappointing return to European football. The versatile lefty started his career in England, before returning to impress in two seasons at Sydney FC. Over the past 12 months a move to Championship outfit Sheffield Untied provided mixed fortunes being loaned to eventually relegated Norwich. While his Socceroos stock remains strong, he will need regular football to push for a World Cup spot.

42
Matt Simon
Age 23
Position Striker
Club Central Coast Mariners

A no-nonsense striker and excellent in the air, Simon's decision to quit his plasterer's apprenticeship to pursue his football ambitions is paying off. A fan favourite at Bluetongue Stadium, Simon's last-ditch goal-scoring feats were the catalyst for some dramatic scenes last season. The young marksman so impressed coach Lawrie McKinna, he played more minutes than the experienced Sasho Petrovski and picked up two awards at the Mariners awards night.

41
Joel Griffiths
Age 29
Position Striker
Club Newcastle Jets

When Griffiths donned the green strip of Beijing Guoan against the Newcastle Jets in the ACL, it was one of the oddest sights seen in Australian football. Such was his impact at the Jets that the club is yet to find a comparable replacement and Griffiths' playing future is still in limbo with both Beijing and the Jets hoping to secure his services long term. Blessed with bags of pace, Griffiths is a cool finisher with an intense desire to win. His influential presence alone can lift an entire team.

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