30
Archie Thompson
Age 30
Position Striker
Club Melbourne Victory

This karate-chopping hitman might not score five goals every match, but his class and touch are undeniable. Though he has struggled with some injuries, Archie remains
the A-League's most lethal attacker. Thompson did not have the desired impact at the Beijing Olympics that fans had hoped for but his positional play, attempts on goal and assists statistics prove there's more to this showman than finishing. Can he do enough ahead of South Africa?

29
James Holland
Age 20
Position Midfielder
Club AZ Alkmaar (Holland)

The A-League's very own Hand of God finds himself plying his trade in namesake pastures after winning the 2008 Grand Final with Newcastle Jets. Young Socceroos captain Holland is more potential than realisation so far, but showed enough quality this year to ink a deal with AZ Alkmaar after a successful trial. Yet to make his first appearance for the new Dutch champions, Holland will spend next season under the watchful gaze of AZ's new coach - legendary defender Ronald Koeman.

28
Vince Grella
Age 29
Position Midfielder
Club Blackburn (England)

If Vince had just spent the last 12 months playing regular football and less time struggling with injuries and form, he would undoubtedly have found himself in the top 20 of this list.

This year, after a decade in Italy, the competitive midfield enforcer fancied his chances in the England with Blackburn.

"I'd made up my mind to leave Italy," said Grella. "I'm happy that I started my career in that country but it was just getting a little bit stale there."

A new challenge in one of the world's best league awaited, but his debut against Lucas Neill's West Ham provided a bittersweet introduction. He may have provided the assist for the only Blackburn goal, but was lucky to escape with a yellow card after a horror challenge and was substituted at half-time.

A calf injury kept him out of the side for a month as Blackburn had a abysmal start under new coach Paul Ince.

"There is a real intensity and attacking mentality to the English game and it is only natural I will need time to get used to it," pleaded Grella as he settled into life in England. He was excellent on his home debut in October against Middlesbrough, but the physio bench beckoned once again soon after.

By January his injury ravaged season had many questioning the value of his $7.4m move. "The last few months has felt like six years," said Grella. "Trying to settle in my family in a new country and not being able to play has made me very frustrated. It has been a terrible start but I will turn it around. I am happy to be at Blackburn."

As the season progressed, new coach Sam Allardyce, turned the team's fortunes around and they avoided relegation. Grella only mustered 17 Blackburn appearances, but it was enough to partly impress the new coach.

"We've not seen the best of his [Grella's] passing abilities yet," said Allardyce. "The fitter he gets and the more he copes with the pace, the more we will see his outstanding passing moves come through".

Grella has remained part of Verbeek's Socceroos plans when fit, but with competition fierce in both Blackburn and the Socceroos' midfields, staying injury free will be vital for the hardman next season.

27
Travis Dodd
Age 29
Position Midfielder
Club Adelaide United

One of the most consistent players at Aurelio Vidmar's disposal, Dodd's acceleration gives the Reds one of the A-League's most unpredictable weapons. The attacking midfielder is naturally-gifted and has been a target of clubs from both Japan and Korea. His personal haul of seven goals in 23 starts during Adelaide's 2008/09 campaign helped the club to their second Grand Final appearance in three years. If this form continues, United might just struggle to keep him.

26
Brad Jones
Age 27
Position Goalkeeper
Club Middlesbrough (England)

While most Australian 'keepers have lived in the shadow of Schwarzer's 15 year international career, Jones has played that understudy role twice over.

During his eight years with Middlesbrough, while Schwarz had a stranglehold on the Boro number one spot, Jones was farmed out to lowly English sides. When Schwarz moved to Fulham at the start of the season, Jones was given his chance.

With a season of EPL experience under his belt, he was recalled to Verbeek's squad for "Super June". Last season may have heralded the end of Boro's 11-year stint in England's top tier, but Jones was by no means the catalyst for their demise. If Jones can take his superb shot-stopping and iron out the odd blunder, then a full season in the Championship will see him mature into another keeping option.

25
Scott Jamieson
Age 20
Position Left-back
Club Adelaide United

If the A-League was created to nurture young Australian talent, then pint-sized Scott is the poster boy. Last year he returned home after two years at English side Bolton, without making an appearance for the EPL outfit, but since making his A-League debut in Round One, Jamieson has formed an important part of the A-League's tightest defence. He was instrumental in the Red's journey to the ACL Final, won his first Socceroos' cap and then landed the A-League Young Player of the Year award. Tons of potential.

24
Jade North
Age 27
Position Centre-back
Club Incheon Utd (South Korea)

A prolific flirter with various clubs in recent years, the versatile and solid former Newcastle Jets captain turned his back on marquee status with North Queensland to ink
a deal with K-League club Incheon United late last year. The move came off the back of Jets' poorest season, but North escaped with his reputation intact. A central figure in the Verbeek era, playing in South Korea's top flight will only serve to boost his appeal as Pim decides who should partner Neill at the back.

23
Bruce Djite
Age 22
Position Striker
Club Genclerbirligi (Turkey)

When powerhouse forward Djite failed to be named in the 2008 Olyroos squad for Beijing, there was a sense that one of Australia's brightest talents had been overlooked. The Olyroos were duly out-muscled by the likes of the Serbs, but Djite had his own plans as he moved to Europe to prove his budding potential on a bigger stage.

"It's interesting in Turkey," says Djite. "The day of the first game of the season... they sacrificed a goat". Seven goals this term means Bruce scored more goals at Genclerbirligi than he did in his last year at Adelaide.

By no means a regular in the side, he has progressed enough to prove a regular Socceroos' squad member. He may still be seeking his first goal in the Green and Gold, but there is a feeling that if he can work on his consistency, his international cameos will become leading roles.

22
Nikita Rukavytsya
Age 21
Position Striker
Club FC Twente (Holland)

"Ruka" possesses the sort of lightning pace that puts defenders on their back sides and back sides in seats on the bench. He also has a sweet left foot to support his pace.
10 goals for Perth Glory last term engineered a reported A-League record transfer of $1.2m to Dutch outfit FC Twente. Few could begrudge his move and if you were going to put your money on a bolter for South Africa next year, the speedy youngster would seem a decent bet.

21
Kevin Muscat
Age 36
Position Centre-back
Club Melbourne Victory

It has been three years since the tenacious Muscat last played for the Socceroos and four since he returned home to lead the A-League's most successful team. That doesn't stop the tough-tackling Muscat from sitting on the cusp of our top 20 current Aussie players. Melbourne Victory's captain, assistant coach and on-field linchpin is inspirational and unmovable, whether he is asked to play in defence or midfield. He proved that once more last season as Victory landed the golden toilet seat again.

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