Mark Milligan

LESSON FOR THE NEXT GEN: Hold onto your dreams

Sydney 2005-08
Newcastle Jets 2008-09
Melbourne Victory 2012-15 and 2017-18

Socceroos debut: 2006

A Hyundai A-League original, Milligan’s been pivotal to every Hyundai A-League team he’s played in. His dream, though, was always to play in the UK – but it took the Hyundai A-League to make that happen. While still at Sydney FC, he caught the eye of several big name clubs in Europe, including Arsenal. A possible move ended in heartbreak though when he couldn’t qualify for an EU passport or a visa spot. He returned to the Hyundai A-League and continued to improve, ultimately going with the Socceroos to four World Cups, and again attracted the interest of big name clubs… but a downturn in the national team’s fortunes meant that once again – despite being a first team regular – Australia’s ranking had slipped too far for him to earn a visa spot. He persevered for both club and country and as Australia pushed back into the top 50 nations, his form with Victory earned a move first to the Middle East and then finally last year, that coveted move to the UK and a contract with Hibs in the Scottish Premiership.

Josh Risdon

LESSON FOR THE NEXT GEN: Take your chance

Perth Glory 2010-17
Western Sydney Wanderers 2017-19
Western United 2019-

Socceroos debut: 2015

Risdon’s a Western Australian boy, who came through ECU Joondalup and the WA NTC before being snapped up by Perth Glory’s youth team and later its Hyundai A-League team. In 2017, he joined Western Sydney Wanderers – and given his history, it seemed perfect for him to be the first Australian to be signed for new season’s new Hyundai A-League club Western United! It took five years in the Hyundai A-League before he made his Socceroos debut, but given the chance at last, he staked his claim to the right back slot, forcing his way onto the plane to Russia for the 2018 World Cup. He faces stiff competition now from Rhyan Grant for his spot – but that’s the way it should be…and Risdon will rise to the fresh challenge.

Jamie Maclaren

LESSON FOR THE NEXT GEN: Consistency is everything

Perth Glory 2013-15
Brisbane Roar 2015-17
Melbourne City 2019-

Socceroos debut: 2016

Maclaren plugged away with Perth Glory from his late teens but never really got a significant run in the first team to really shine – so much so he ended up in the NPL side for his final season in the West. A much-needed move to Brisbane Roar changed everything. With a coach who believed in him and a regular starting spot, he smashed the record for goals scored by an Australian in a Hyundai A-League season with 20 from 25 games…and then repeated the feat the following season to share the Golden Boot with Besart Berisha. A move overseas saw him end up on loan at Hibs where he again became a scoring sensation and ended up on the flight to Russia for the 2018 World Cup and led the line at the 2019 Asian Cup. His boss at Hibs left the club while he was away in the UAE and he chose to return to the A-League and his hometown to play for Melbourne City…where he started in true Maclaren-style with two goals in two games.