Carrying over the lethal edge that characterised his bountiful FFA Cup and World Cup qualifying runs, the Sunbury-born striker has been nigh unstoppable across the beginning of the 2019/20 A-League season.

Netting his 10th goal of the campaign during Melbourne City’s 4-0 demolition of Newcastle Jets last Sunday, Maclaren etched his name into the record books as he became the fastest player in A-League history, taking just six games to reach that landmark.

When extended to include all national league seasons, only Gary Cole’s start to Heidelberg United 1980 campaign has produced such a plentiful return in such a short time-frame. 

“My job is to score goals,” Maclaren said today. “And this year’s been quite a clinical one for me.

“My teammates have produced the ammunition for me and I’m in a real good patch of form and enjoying my football.”

Indeed, it’s undeniable that, at present, no player in the A-League is in as rich a vein of form as Maclaren.

A club's season can be destroyed if their striker one day wakes up and suddenly struggles to hit the broad side of a barn door.

But conversely, one that is capable of regularly turning the faintest whiff of a chance into goals can make turn even an otherwise lacklustre side into title contenders. 

Their presence is one that must constantly be accounted for by defences - with greater openings resulting for teammates as a result.

Furthermore, as a bonus for both City and A-League officials, such spearheads are also the type of players that fans pay to see. 

“Going into games I’m feeling really fresh in the mind and my body always feels good,” explained the 26-year-old. “Newcastle was no different.

"After 20 minutes I kind of felt there was a few chances that went my way – probably I didn’t get the connection on the ball I wanted – but I just knew as the game went on there was going to be a chance that fell to me.

“Javier [Cabrera] played a great ball across the box and that’s where I do my work – in the six yard box.

“You play against some really big centre backs and tough centre backs that want to beat you physically. If I drag my runs out then guys like Javier and Noony [Craig Noon] get isolated and able to do their work.

“You saw how well [Adrian] Luna got in the box the other day. He made two good runs and scored two goals.

“Maybe that’s from me creating space for him but, at the end of the day, I’m a team player and if I’m not scoring it’s great to see other players stepping up and putting the ball in the back of the net."

On Saturday, Maclaren and his City brethren will meet cross-town foes Melbourne Victory in the traditional Christmas Derby and, should his run off form continue an, his hitman reputation could take on a different dimension. 

A defeat for the desperate four-time A-League champions could very well see them finish 2019 at the foot of the table.

With this sputtering start to the season, Victory finds themselves under ever-increasing scrutiny with, as ever in these situations, speculation rife on the ongoing tenure of Head Coach Marco Kurz.

Maclaren, therefore, is expecting a battle.

“Having had a German manager before, they’re all about backing up and winning your duels and I’m sure Marco Kurz is no different,” he said. “I’m sure he’ll be telling his players to win their individual battles.

“We’ll just go out and play their game plan and – I’m sure they’ll have one too – but it will be an interesting sort of derby.  

“It’s probably not going to be easy on the eyes. Some derbies aren’t - and I’ve played in some big ones in Scotland. Fans don’t expect to see some beautiful football, it’s more about competitiveness, and whoever turns up wins.

“Playing in the Melbourne derby last year was a great experience, scored a penalty and just being able to celebrate in front of where they have more fans.

“You can celebrate in front of them and have a bit of banter with them. That’s what football is about, that’s what derbies are about.

“I’ve always wanted to be a legend in my home town, Melbourne City is the club I’m representing and long may that continue.”