1 / 10

Adelaide United – Dario Vidosic
United's No.10 had big shoes to fill when he replaced Marcos Flores and injuries conspired to make his first season back a challenging one. He is a different type of player to the Argentine and there were signs in Adelaide's successful AFC Champions League run that John Kosmina is learning how to get the most out of the talented Aussie. Vidosic, just like any import, will have benefited from the time to adjust to the A-League's new level and can be more fairly judged on the upcoming campaign.

2 / 10

Brisbane Roar – Thomas Broich
The German maestro has swept all before him in Australia and his challenge is simply to maintain his influence in the post-Postecoglou era at Brisbane Roar. It's as yet unclear whether his role will be adjusted under Rado Vidosic, but whether cutting in from the left or starting centrally, Broich has the sheer quality to hurt any opposition. His touch, vision and dribbling give him the full package. We should all enjoy the pleasure of watching Broich on these shores while we can.

3 / 10

Central Coast Mariners – Tom Rogic
We will undoubtedly see a better Rogic this season after the starlet gets a full pre-season under his belt. Drafted in at Bluetongue midway through the Mariners' Premiership campaign, Rogic dazzled in patches due to his raw ability but struggled to keep matching the bar that he set so high. A fitter, stronger version of the gifted playmaker will be back to carry the creative burden without the rotation relief that Musti Amini offered. A languid mover with supreme dribbling technique and a stinging left-foot shot, Rogic will be deployed behind Bernie Ibini and Mile Sterjovski at the point of Graham Arnold's midfield diamond.

4 / 10

Melbourne Heart – Fred
Fred's role has evolved since the heady days of Victory's double back in 2006-07, but his influence has not waned. He now operates as more of a conductor than the free-roaming soloist we first saw on these shores, using his experience and guile to stoke Heart's young attacking force from central positions. Injuries were a problem last season, but Heart's ability to match it with the best when they had their full complement on deck showed that their captain still has what it takes on his day. With more support around him, he could easily step back into the spotlight this year.

5 / 10

Melbourne Victory – Marcos Flores
He's back! It appeared Victory found the perfect tonic to the sudden loss of Harry Kewell when they swooped for Flores, the standout player of two seasons past and a favourite son of rivals Adelaide. In reality Flores will fill the shoes of Carlos Hernandez, using his intelligence and skill to provide the bullets for Archie Thompson's clever runs in behind. The Argentine is a true No.10 and it will be interesting to see how Ange Postecoglou deploys him, given how he had Thomas Broich tucked out on the wing for much of his time at Suncorp.

6 / 10

Newcastle Jets – James Brown
Predicting Gary van Egmond's team and shape could prove difficult, such has been his desire to sign flexible young players who can be shifted around his whiteboard at will. It will be creative team movements, rather than the creative genius of one player, that will prove key for the Jets. Whether deployed in midfield or as part of a front three, Brown will be representative of this approach, drifting in between the lines before creating havoc with his pace and technical ability. The former Gold Coast star needs to back up his breakthrough campaign and show he's the real deal.

7 / 10

Perth Glory – Liam Miller
The A-League's own Xavi. Perth's fortunes turned last season when Miller was withdrawn into a deep playmaking role. Sitting just ahead of the midfield destroyer, the diminutive Irishman first secures possession for his team before imposing his quality further up the pitch. His passing is smart and incisive rather than spectacular, and with so much proven talent around him in Glory's arsenal to benefit from such sharp service, this provides the perfect balance for Ian Ferguson's team. The former Manchester United man's pedigree will be critical again should Glory match their run to last season's decider.

8 / 10

Sydney FC – Nick Carle
Carle will relish the fresh start under a new, attack-minded coach this season. Injuries and the team's failure to click made for a frustrating campaign last time around, making Carle's fleeting moments of genius all the more teasing. He found some goal-scoring form during a stint as a second striker, but with Ian Crook's injection of pace into the front line, you can expect to see Carle back in a creative role providing the ammo for the speedy weapons ahead of him. One of the most important pieces needed for a Sydney renaissance is already in place, if top form returns.

9 / 10

Wellington Phoenix – Paul Ifill
As more of a roaming striker, Ifill adds to the diversity of different styles of playmakers in this list. But he certainly remains the creative hub for his team; in fact, more play probably comes through Ifill for Wellington than it does for the likes of Thomas Broich for Brisbane. Fitness remains the only real barrier to Ifill's success. When he's available and on song, he and his team look unstoppable. Too often they were without the Barbadian last campaign, and the 'Nix lost a dimension or two on those occasions.

10 / 10

West Sydney Wanderers - ?
Until Tony Popovic fills his squad, with special consideration to the overseas players he might bring in, it's unclear where the creative burden will lie. All the other teams have their go-to men, though, so Wanderers fans can dream for now as to what new idol might take that No.10 shirt for the first time.