In a league where ladder leaders and reigning champions Brisbane Roar are clearly the best side with nine other teams chasing them, former season one Sky Blue championship winner and now Fox Sports analyst Mark Rudan senses Sydney are emerging as the strongest challenger to the Brisbane boys.

While Roar were held in Melbourne by a gallant Melbourne Victory 2-2 on Saturday, the Sky Blues completed a stunning two-goal turnaround 24 hours later to defeat a classy Gold Coast 3-2.

“Championships are won and lost in the dressing room with team spirit and a team of winners” Rudan told au.fourfourtwo.com.

"And if that transfers out onto the pitch it’ll just bring the players that much closer together."

It was the third week in a row Vitezslav Lavicka’s men have forced their way back into a match after going behind. They now sit fourth with just one loss this season, though that was to Roar earlier in the season.

“Brisbane are the benchmark right now and rightly so but this Sydney side, they’re right up there in terms of top four," said Rudan. “They have been better than most of the bunch.

"They’ve been able to come back in the last few weeks from going behind and they’ve got a lot of good experienced pros in the team like Bosschaart, Beauchamp and Carle while Brett Emerton is slowly showing his true worth.

“And Karol Kisel has returned to the club… you just can’t buy that sort of experience.”

Kisel kept his cool to score the winning penalty after goals from Carle and Bruno Cazarine helped set up Sunday’s win.

Sydney sit in fourth on eight points. It sets up a classic clash next week with third placed Perth Glory (on nine points) in the west.

Terry Antonis returns to the Sydney FC squad this week, flying direct to Perth from Malaysia where he is on U-20 international duty. However Brett Emerton will miss just the away trip to Perth while on Socceroo duty.

Rudan also senses Melbourne could be the city that also challenges for the title.

“I thought Melbourne Victory showed great character and determination against Roar," he said. “That also goes well for a successful season. They’ll take a lot from that performance.

"And Melbourne Heart have played really well.So I think those three teams are looking really  good right now.”

However, Rudan, known as “The Big Blue Man” by The Cove, noted defensive lapses were cropping up and implored Sydney to concentrate for the full 90 minutes.

He added: “Mentally they were a little out of shape. It only takes one player to lose his concentration.

"And Liam [Reddy] could’ve done a little better. You’ve got to be switched on and concentrated.

“It’s always a concern, but no-one goes throughout the season without conceding goals but I’m sure they’ll analyse it this week.”