GOALKEEPERDanny Vukovic, Sydney FC

With Vukovic plagued by off-field issues last season, his performance on the field is nothing short of remarkable. Returning to Sydney for ongoing medical treatment for his son Harley, he was a symbol of Sydney’s strong defence, conceding just 12 goals all season and keeping 16 clean sheets.

He made crucial saves throughout the season, including a crucial save during Grand Final penalty shootout. He was a brave and fearless keeper, showing strength and solidarity at the back when Sydney needed it most.

Only one team was able to put any more than one goal past the keeper in a single game and it was this form that saw him rewarded with a very belated call up to the national team.

He won the A-League Goalkeeper of the Year for his record breaking year and was able to cap off a stellar season with a Grand Final victory – and celebrated the win with Harley.

DEFENCE

Rhyan Grant, SYDNEY FC

Another integral part of Sydney FC’s defence this season, Grant was incredible for Sydney in both defence and attack. Mirroring the efforts of Michael Zullo on the left side of the defence, Grant was capable of playing the complete length of the field.

His attacking exploits saw him score three goals, including a crucial Grand Final tap in. He was also a major provider of goals for Sydney, bagging five assists throughout the season, second only in his team to Johnny Warren medallist, Milos Ninkovic.

In defence, he had a 77% tackling accuracy and made more interceptions than any other Sydney FC defender. He received a call up to the Australian national team and although he didn’t make an appearance, his call up signalled a recognition by Ange Postecoglou that he was the best right back in the A-League.

He was one of the real engines of the record breaking Sydney FC team and his consistency throughout the season is one of the reasons Sydney were able to achieve what they did.

 

Alex Wilkinson, SYDNEY FC

Wilkinson was one of Sydney’s key signings for the new season and he did not disappoint. First establishing a strong defensive partnership with Matthew Jurman and then Jordy Buijs, Wilkinson didn’t skip a beat. He was the leading man in Sydney’s mighty defence and was arguably the best defender in the league this season.

He somehow missed out on a return to the Socceroos but on the flip side, played every single game for Sydney this season, the only player to do so. No other A-League player played more minutes than he did this season and no other A-League player started more games than he did.

He was one of the key reasons Sydney were able to keep a clean sheet in 17 of their 29 A-League games this season. His composure and confidence in front of goals saw him make several crucial tackles and he received just three yellow cards all season, maintaining his discipline throughout the season.

With a tackling accuracy of 89.5%, he was completely dependable at the back for Sydney and a key factor in Sydney breaking several A-League defensive records.

DEFENCE

Luke DeVere, Brisbane Roar

DeVere was a key man for Brisbane this season, maintaining a strong defensive presence at the back and contributing heavily in moving the ball forward. Despite injuries, a changing back line and Champions League commitments, DeVere remained an ever consistent force for Brisbane.

One of the few A-League players touted to receive a call up to the Socceroos in March, he was unfortunate to pick up a calf injury just prior to the squad being announced.

Despite this setback, he never missed a beat, forming two strong defensive partnerships with Jade North and Avraam Papadopoulos. His tackling accuracy this season was better than that of Alan Baro and Michael Jakobsen, but it was his distribution from the back that really set him apart from the pack.

He put in more passes than any other defender this season, maintaining a high passing accuracy and building up Brisbane’s attacks from the back. He created chances for Brisbane and was able to turn defence into attack more often than almost any other central defender.

He was disciplined in defence, conceding very few fouls and showing an ability that has given Brisbane Roar the confidence to sign the player until 2019. Despite being in a team that didn’t always shine defensively, he was a consistent figure in an occasionally inconsistent team, always giving his team every chance to get a result. 

Michael Zullo, Sydney FC

Yet another Sydney FC player featuring in the backline, Michael Zullo was another new arrival who made a big impact for the eventual champions. Mirroring the efforts of Rhyan Grant on the right hand side of defence, Zullo was a strong figure in both defence and attack.

Starting in all but one games for Sydney, Zullo was unchallenged in the left back position and almost completely unrivalled in the league. He won more tackles than any of his fellow Sydney FC defenders, keeping the left hand side of Sydney’s defence secure and ensuring they kept their record number of clean sheets.

In attack, he was a crossing wizard, putting in more successful crosses than any of his team mates and assisting four goals in the process. While he didn’t attack the goal as much as Rhyan Grant, he was a better distributor of the ball, passing the ball more often and with more accuracy.

While Corey Brown was often praised for his efforts at left back for Brisbane Roar, his efforts pale in comparison to Zullo’s, with the Sydney FC player able to perform with excellence in both attack and defence.

No other defender put in more crosses than Zullo did but he didn’t allow his attacking exploits to be sacrificed in defence with Sydney conceding just 12 goals all season thanks to his defensive efforts in Sydney’s record breaking back four.

MIDFIELD

Marco Rojas, Melbourne Victory

After leaving Victory in 2013, he failed to break in to VfB Stuttgart’s first team. Following two loan spells, he returned to the A-League and once again showed the talent that had him move overseas in the first place.

Scoring 13 goals in 25 appearances for Victory, no one managed more assists than he did either. He was an attacking weapon for Melbourne and in combination with James Troisi, created several chances for his fellow forwards.

Often one to showcase his excellent skills, his neat tricks and close control were often on show as was his blistering pace down the right wing. He often caught out defenders and with a forward line as strong as Victory’s, often found or set up a goal.

Victory were known for their clinical finishing this season and Rojas was more clinical than any of his team mates, having a higher shooting accuracy than Besart Berisha. He conceded just 16 fouls all season (compared to James Troisi’s 65 fouls conceded) and wasn’t given a card at any point during the season.

His influence on the team was only positive, adding exciting pace and skill to the game. He contributed to 23 of Melbourne’s 49 goals and never went more than three games during the regular season without scoring or assisting a goal.

His return was a welcome site for many Victory fans at the start of the season and their enthusiasm was rewarded with Rojas marking his influence on every single game.

 

Thomas Kristensen, Brisbane Roar

While the efforts of Joshua Brillante and Brandon O’Neill have been praised all season, it is Thomas Kristensen who has been the quiet achiever. Providing a key role in the heart of Brisbane’s midfield, he was heavily involved in both defence and attack.

Capable in the midfield, he also dazzled in front of goal, scoring some stunning goals for Brisbane. His four goals for the club this season made him the club’s fourth best scorer (above Tommy Oar and Thomas Broich) but it was his distribution that set him apart from the rest.

He put in almost 1,200 passes throughout the season and was gifted a contract extension in January thanks to his fine form. If he sees out his new deal, the Danish midfielder will be with the club until 2019 and many Brisbane Roar fans will be excited to see him in seasons to come.

He has been one of the strongest players in defence, winning more tackles than any of his team mates and showing he is an enforcer in the midfield.

One of the brightest performers at Brisbane this season, he performed with consistency and played a key role in Brisbane securing third spot. 

MIDFIELD

Milos Ninkovic, SYDNEY FC

With so many great performances this season, the race for the Johnny Warren Medal was always going to be tough but almost everyone agreed with the decision to award it to Milos Ninkovic. Last season he only showed glimpses of what he was capable of, but the Serb turned it on bigly this time round, becoming a key part of Sydney’s winning team.

With 11 assists for the campaign, Ninkovic was Sydney’s big impact player. He knew how to control the pace of the game and set up key chances with his quick thinking. Often the focal point of Sydney’s counter-attacks, he worked fluidly linking Sydney’s midfield to its forward line.

He epitomises what the role of a foreign player is, lifting the standards not only of his team, but Sydney’s opponents too. Most of them were left scrambling to defend against Ninkovic who could out-pass and out-run even the best of them.

He covered more ground than any of his team mates, running 12km in a single game, and he has played in almost every single game this season, showcasing his impeccable fitness for a man of his age.

His excellent form this season has seen him upgraded to a marquee contract for next season and Sydney may be hoping he sticks around for a few more seasons to come. Although the entire Sydney FC team has been remarkable this year, Ninkovic was a cut above the rest and that is undoubtedly what saw him receive so much praise.

Diego Castro, Perth Glory

Fresh off his Johnny Warren Medal last season, Castro was out to defend his title and if it wasn’t for the incredible form of Milos Ninkovic, he probably would have received the award two years in a row.

A stand out in a Perth Glory side that would often lack consistency, Castro was the game changer, making the left wing his own and outsmarting almost all his opponents.

He often appeared in a league of his own, leaving defenders in his wake and scoring goals that left many gasping. His tight control is the envy of every player in the league and his experience in La Liga shines in every effortless move he makes.

He created a whopping 63 chances for Perth, giving Adam Taggart and Andy Keogh service up front other teams could only dream of. He was fouled 79 times with most teams unable to contain the Spanish forward.

It was a season to remember for Spaniard and he is set to sign on for another season with the club. Despite being 34 years old, Castro shows no sign of slowing down and he has been one of the best imports the A-League has ever had.

FORWARDS

Besart Berisha, Melbourne Victory

In the season that made him the A-League's first ever player to reach 100 goals, Berisha did not disappoint. Playing in his third season for the club, he was a clinical finisher, scoring 21 times during the season.

He was a target man and player that other teams feared. His aggression and ability to craft a goal with consistency saw him never go more than two goals without scoring or assisting a goal.

His goals were often decisive and while some striker vanish, he always stepped up during a big game. His goal against Brisbane Roar during the semi-final was the only thing that separated the two sides and his goal against Sydney FC in the Grand Final saw the game go right down to the wire.

He created more chances than Jamie Maclaren and scored as many goals as the youngster, from less chances. He missed just one game for Melbourne all season and scored or assisted 25 of their 51 goals.

He may have shared the Golden Boot with Jamie Maclaren this season but it was still a record breaking season for Besart Berisha. At 31 years of age, many might expect he would be slowing down but it seems that this season has been one of his best yet.

Jamie Maclaren, Brisbane Roar

Despite rumours that he could move overseas, Jamie Maclaren remained with Roar this season and weren’t they lucky he did. The joint Golden Boot winner with Berisha, Maclaren was able to score  just as many goals despite playing less minutes than his Victory counterpart.

This was certainly the season for Maclaren. Having scored 20 goals last season, he backed it up this season scoring another 20. At just 23 years of age, he has shown an ability to score great goals and to be a deadly poacher in front of goals.

He was impressive throughout the season but he shone particularly when Brisbane needed him, fighting for third place. He brought the season home strong, scoring 11 times during Brisbane’s last 9 games of the regular season.

Currently, rumours are again swirling that Maclaren will head overseas and while it is pretty much certain that he won’t be at Brisbane next season, they will surely be thankful for a great year.

THE BENCH

Vedran Janjetovic, Western Sydney Wanderers

Despite not playing for the first half of the season at Sydney, a lifeline transfer to Western Sydney Wanderers saw him become first choice keeper. He didn’t disappoint, putting in some incredible performances and making some key saves for his new side.

He was able to assert himself as one of the top goalkeepers this season despite playing half as many games as some of his competitors. Strong in the goals and a symbol of strength in the Wanderers goal, Janjetovic displayed the consistent form he has become known for.

 

Alan Baro, Melbourne Victory

Breaking up the attacks of some of the best attackers in the A-League, he was almost the perfect replacement for Matthieu Delpierre in the heart of the Melbourne defence.

He was a strong player who wasn’t afraid to make the hard tackle but also contributed well to the push further up the field, being the playmaker of the defensive unit. He was one of the main factors behind Melbourne conceding the second fewest goals in the competition, second only to Sydney.

James Troisi, Melbourne Victory

A dynamo in the Melbourne Victory midfield, he wasn’t always the most accurate in front of goal, but his abilities as a playmaker made a huge impact on the forward line. He wasn’t afraid to take on the goal or to set up a team mate.

His impact on the side earned him a call up to the Socceroos and his performances were praised by many. He came within millimetres of giving Victory the win in the Grand Final but was a force right throughout the season.

THE BENCH

Nico Martinez, Western Sydney Wanderers

Not missing a beat, even when his team mates were struggling, Martinez was able to perform at his best even when his team was at their worst. Putting in a series of solid performances when the Wanderers were struggling to win, Martinez showed his class.

Although only on loan with the club, his consistency in the Wanderers forward line certainly secured him a place in the hearts of the club’s fans. Assisting eight goals for Wanderers and scoring a further four, he played a key role in the team’s push to reach the finals.

Bruno Fornaroli, Melbourne City

While it wasn’t quite the same season he had last year, Fornaroli still impressed big time this year. Missing a consecutive Golden Boot by just two goals, Fornaroli was the third best striker in the A-League, only behind Berisha and Maclaren.

He was consistent with his shooting, hitting the target more often than not and forcing several keepers into desperate saves. He put 49 shots on target all season (compared to Berisha’s 36) and if he had more luck, may have seen himself end the season as the league’s top scorer.

THE COACH

Graham Arnold, SYDNEY FC

Leading his team to a Premiership with a 17 point margin, winning the Grand Final, losing only one game all season and conceding just 12 goals, there is almost no doubt who the coach of the year was. We’ve known Arnold to be a good coach but he proved just how good he could be this year.

It was a record breaking season for Sydney under the leadership of one of the league’s best. He got the most out a very good team and his key off-season signings made a huge difference to the team’s eventual victory. He has coached a team that is being discussed as the A-League’s greatest ever...and recuited a side which has dominated this year's team of the season.