7: Tony Popovic (Sydney FC)

'Poppa' had spent a decade abroad in Japan, England and the Middle East, before heading to the A-League as a 33-year-old. The big defender's body wasn't what it used to be, but he was still immediately handed the captain's armband at Sydney and was a fine influence for the Sky Blues defence which eventually finished third. He officially retired in November 2008 as he couldn't play at the level he desired, but joined the club's coaching staff and was beside Vitezslav Lavicka when Sydney won the double in 2010.

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