If he can't, he'll miss out on a second-straight World Cup at the dying moments. In 2014, Brillante was on fire, bathing in the afterglow of phenomenal form for the Young Socceroos and a move to Serie A with Fiorentina.

It wasn't enough, however, with the midfielder scrapped from Ange's final squad at the last minute. It was hard to take, but now 24-years-old and an A-League champion, missing a second would be even harder.

"It's probably one of the strongest parts of our team, the midfield," Brillante said.

"We've got a lot of good quality in the midfield so it's going to be tough. But I see it as a learning experience. Learn off them guys and tried to be better than them.

"That's the aim, to keep improving. That's what I'll be looking to do."

Brillante also has to shift his focus from a meandering Sydney FC side, which despite being champions-elect, have endured a torrid run of form and now sit only five points above Newcastle Jets.

But rather than feel hard-done-by, Brillante's taking heart from his previous experience. He believes he's "grown up" since 2014.

"Obviously being involved up to the World Cup and being dropped just before is tough," he said.

"But I was young back then and had a lot of learning and developing to do. Hopefully this time I can stand my ground in the team and put myself on the list to go away to the World Cup.

"I think as a player and a person I've grown up a bit more."