1 / 10

10. Ivan Franjic (Brisbane Roar)
The 24-year-old Melbourne-born wingback finished the month in spectacular fashion with a barnstorming display to help dismantle Victory in Brisbane. And despite the side’s form lurch in December, Franjic remained true to his cavalier approach getting up and down the right side all month.

2 / 10

9. Pedj Bojic (Central Coast)
Goalscorer? Hard to believe but the powerfully built defender has popped up to score a bag of goals in December. Add to that a typically strong defensive showing and this was very much Bojic’s month as the Mariners ended the calendar year top of the A-League pile.

3 / 10

8. Bernie Ibini-Isei (Central Coast)
We saw the Nigerian-born striker’s potential in the 2011 Grand Final with an incisive display, and in December he had one of his best months. He’s quick, powerful and has a striker’s instinct. In December his partnership with Matt Simon was a joy to watch. How he copes without the K-League bound Mariner will be interesting this month.

4 / 10

7. Dani Sanchez (Wellington Phoenix)
The 27-year-old Spaniard is starting to prove himself a fine addition to the Phoenix midfield. He’s got technique and vision and works hard for the team. And his two goals this month against an admittedly poor Newcastle side were just rewards for this talented newcomer to the A-League. The former Betis player looms as a key player in the second half of Phoenix’s season.

5 / 10

6. Aziz Behich (Melbourne Heart)
Like Franjic, Behich is a joy to watch in the role of attacking full-back/midfielder. Played as part of a four-man backline or as wide midfielder, the one-time Green Gully star has licence to attack and does it beautifully. He pins back opposition defences and presses with great enthusiasm. At just 21 – he celebrated his birthday in December – Behich has a bright future and has already signed a contract extension for two years.

6 / 10

5. Ben Halloran (Gold Coast Untied)
What a month for the “Lizard system” boys from the glitter strip. And Halloran, 19, has been key to the revival. We love the way he plays: so much pace, confidence and technique. The teen’s run won the pen in the M1 derby and he tormented the Reds in Adelaide. Surely this lively but roar talent - originally from Cairns, one of the real football hotbeds - is now on the Olyroo radar?

7 / 10

4. Mustafa Amini (Central Coast)
This mini maestro started the month by destroying Adelaide United, and his form has continued unabated. The kid’s got it all so enjoy his burgeoning talent and Afro while you can before he heads off to Dortmund.

8 / 10

3. Mate Dugandzic (Melbourne Heart)
He started the month with the decisive goal against Phoenix in Morwell, added another in Sydney and sunk Glory in Perth with a late winner. He also helped set-up Eli Babalj’s second goal against the Roar. Another of van’t Schip’s revelations this season, the former Victory man had another highly effective month in front of goal. There’s nothing flashy about the 22-year-old, he just gets the job done up-front. Consistently.

9 / 10

2. Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory)
Where would Victory be without this A-League great? The Socceroo’s enjoyed another strong month in a side that remains stubbornly stuck in second gear. He scored in the Melbourne derby with a deft lob, helped destroy Phoenix at AAMI with a super goal and performance and scored the first goal against the Reds at Etihad.

10 / 10

1. Matt Thompson (Melbourne Heart)
The Sydneysider has been front and centre of the red and white revival. Now firmly ensconced in the Heart midfield, the former Jet makes intelligent runs from deep, worked his socks off and, vitally, banged in some eye-catching goals. His double against Victory in the epic “Christmas Cracker” Melbourne Derby was a peach - his lob off Fred’s sublime dink through will remain long in the memory. The 29-year-old is back in the form that propelled him into the national team in 2009.