How times have changed – for both the game in Australia and the popular Western Sydney Wanderers defender.
 
Topor-Stanley, 28, was last coached by Postecoglou in the Young Socceroos campaign of 2004. Since then, a massive change has swept over the game in this country.
 
The code is booming on and off the park with a rapidly growing A-League now eight years old, while the Socceroos have qualified for their third consecutive World Cup.
 
Now Topor-Stanley is reunited with Postecoglou for the A-League All Stars in a clash against Manchester United in Sydney on July 20. 
 
The clash with the reigning EPL champions is sold out with a crowd of around 80,000 - another sign of the game's growth. 
 
“It was a long time ago but I’ve changed as a player and a lot of things have changed in football," Topor-Stanley told au.fourfourtwo.com.
 
"But I’ll be open to the experience and hopefully I can do myself and the team proud."
 
Topor-Stanley joins the rest of Premiership winning Wanderers for the start of pre-season on July 1.
 
It means the tall defender will have a solid two weeks under his belt with Tony Popovic and the red and black coaching staff before joining a one week All Stars camp with Postecoglou ahead of the clash with United at ANZ Stadium.
 
“We all want to play games of football so to have this All Star clash is amazing. The A-League pre-season is a long process so I’m looking to get through unscathed against United and look ahead to the new A-League season," he said. 
 
“I feel great. It’s a remarkable showcase for the A-League and the talent we’ve got. And it’s a wonderful opportunity for the fans of Australian football to view arguably the biggest brand in world football.”
 
The All Stars’ kit was launched today with the Nike opting for an all blue kit with gold trim. Thomas Broich of Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC’s Brett Emerton joined Topor-Stanley for the launch as the first three official All Star players.
 
Emerton declared that once the teams were out on the park, it’s all about competing and, hopefully, winning.
 
“In world football there are no friendlies,” the Sydney FC midfielder said at the kit launch, and Topor-Stanley remained wary of the Red Devils and their stellar attack of Van Persie, Rooney, Nani, Hernandez and others.
 
He added: “I have thought about it and it might just be a matter of praying and hoping they don’t make a fool out of you.
 
“But it is an honour to be on the same field as them and a privilege to play against them.”