10 Jamie Maclaren

The 24-year-old may have left Brisbane Roar for Germany after the 2016-17 campaign but his impact prior to that was outstanding, winning both the A-League Young Footballer of the Year and the Golden Boot. Maclaren netted 20 goals in the 2016-17 campaign. Including goals in the ACL, Maclaren netted 17 strikes in 2017 as Roar reached the semi finals. Since leaving Roar, they’ve struggled in front of goal.

9 Nico Martinez

The Argentine marquee was allowed to leave Western Sydney following the 2016-17 season and his absence has been felt with the side struggling. Martinez made 27 appearances, scored four goals and provided eight assists for Wanderers in 2016-17. His impact was recognized when he finished third in the Johnny Warren Medal voting.

8 Danny Vukovic

Another player who left the A-League at the end of the 2016-17 campaign, but such was his impact in Sydney’s double, he needs to be included. Vukovic, under Sydney goalkeeping coach John Crawley’s tutelage, enjoyed his career-best season, keeping an A-League record number of clean sheets, earning a Socceroos call-up and a dream transfer to Europe with Genk.

7 Marco Rojas

The impact of the ‘Kiwi Messi’’s departure from Melbourne Victory has been felt in 2017-18, with his former club proving inconsistent. Rojas scored 12 goals and provided a league-high 12 assists in the 2016-17 campaign as Victory finished runners-up and pushed Sydney all the way in the Grand Final. Scored key goals against Adelaide United and Brisbane Roar and remains one of the most dangerous players to have ever played in the A-League with his pace and trickery.

6 James Troisi

An ever-present threat in Melbourne Victory’s attacking line-up, with his skill, passing, crossing and shooting. He may not always get it right, but he makes defenders nervous. Troisi scored six goals and provided seven assists in the 2016-17 season and has backed that up with one more strike and three assists in 2017-18, following a controversial off-season where he almost joined rivals Sydney and City.

5 Alex Wilkinson

Sydney’s Mr Dependable at the back. Success has followed Wilkinson throughout his club career at Central Coast, Jeonbuk Motors and now Sydney, where he is a no-frills defender. Wilkinson was named in the 2016-17 PFA A-League Team of the Year and while he seldom scores goals, he was crucial to the side’s stingy defence which conceded only 12 goals in 2017 in the regular season. His commitment was typified by the injury he suffered in the Grand Final following a collision with Vukovic from a cross.

4 Josh Brillante

A Socceroos recall must not be far away for the 24-year-old midfielder who has been the engine room behind Sydney’s unrivalled success in 2017 as they claimed all three domestic trophies. Brillante’s fitness makes him the ideal box-to-box midfielder who works tirelessly breaking up play but also setting up attacking thrusts. Stats don’t do Brillante justice, but for what it’s worth, he scored two goals in 2017 and both were long-range stunners.

3 Bobo

The Brazilian striker may not be spectacular but he’s hugely effective, scoring 15 goals in the 2016-17 campaign, along with 10 already this term, to be the A-League’s leading marksman. He also chipped in with six assists last term and four already this season which shouldn't be ignored. The former Besiktas forward is a reliable finisher in front of goal and a player who knows where to go, like a good goal poacher should. Scored the winner in the FFA Cup Final too.

2 Diego Castro

He may be 35-years-old now, but the Spaniard remains one of the most crafty players the A-League has ever witnessed. Perth’s struggles during his injury-enforced absence during the early part of 2017-18 showcase his importance to the side. Castro’s quick feet and ability to not only set up, but score goals, make him a defender’s nightmare. He scored 13 goals and provided seven assists in 2016-17, was named in the PFA Team of the Year and the runner-up for the Johnny Warren Medal. Injury has affected his impact this term but he's scored two goals and set up three.

1 Milos Ninkovic

Number one had to be the Johnny Warren Medallist, who dominated the competition in 2016-17 as Sydney claimed the domestic treble. Injury has affected Ninkovic’s impact in the 2017-18 campaign, but he is simply head and shoulders above the rest when he’s been on the park. The Serbian scored nine goals and provided 10 assists in 2016-17, running the show in his attacking midfield role, providing Bobo and Alex Brosque the best service in the competition by a mile.