What the A-League has offered in 10 years of existence, is talented players. Some committed long-term careers to the league, some came from abroad and others went on to different pastures.
To celebrate the 10-year anniversary, here are the top 10 best players to have played in the A-League.
10. Eugene Galekovic (Melbourne Victory, Adelaide United)
The Great Wall of Adelaide United. The captain of the reds has shown it throughout the years with amazing saves to save his side when they really needed it.
He has been an outstanding prospect in the A-League, and he could have gone overseas to eye a starting postion with the Socceroos but was loyal to his club and the league.
Memorable moment: 2012-13 season. Double penalty save against Wellington Phoenix.
9. Kevin Muscat (Melbourne Victory)
One of the most controversial defenders in world football, but in the A-League… well still controversial but very good to watch.
The inaugural captain of Melbourne Victory gave the attackers someone to fear. His desire to lead by example and help his team win the biggest prize in the league is what you want in a captain.
Memorable moment: 2006-07 season. Assisting Archie Thompson to complete his hat-trick against Adelaide in the 6-0 grand final win
8. Shinji Ono (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Western Sydney Wanderers were eyeing Michael Ballack, but buffed him for the Japanese genius.
How the Wanderers found success is probably cause of this guy. Guiding them to two A-League finals, a premiership and a Asian Champions League final is what you call a marquee player.
Memorable moment: 2012-13 season. His 20-yard chip over Michael Theo to seal the semi-final win and take Wanderers to their first grand final appearance.
7. Besart Berisha (Brisbane Roar, Melbourne Victory)
The deadliest striker of them all. The Albanian dangerman has been a great player to watch up front and has become one of the best forwards aside from Archie Thompson and Shane Smeltz.
Despite his red cards and fights between opponents and maybe even his own players, he could turn out to be an A-League legend.
Memorable moment: 2011-12 season. Berisha scored four goals in Brisbane’s 7-1 win against Adelaide United.
6. Steve Corica (Sydney FC)
One of the legends from the beginning. Corica signed for Sydney FC as his career wasn’t able to find a new club overseas. He later took on club captaincy, became their third all-time goalscorer and won two championships and a premiership.
Corica was known for his depth in the midfield and his goalscoring ability. He was definitely a player that a lot of fans got excited to see.
5. Shane Smeltz (Wellington Phoenix, Gold Coast United, Perth Glory, Sydney FC)
The ultimate goalscorer of the A-League deserves a spot on this list. Smeltz is a very prolific striker, he scores when his side needs some inspiration.
He scores from any range of the pitch and risks everything to help his team win the game. Even if he risks getting his face kicked in the face.
Memorable moment: 2011-12 season. Hat-trick against Melbourne Heart, to hand them a spot in the A-League quarter finals.
4. Carlos Hernandez (Melbourne Victory, Wellington Phoenix)
A playmaker of the highest quality. The Costa Rican mastermind was incredible when he came to play in the A-League, with his great shooting techniques, accurate through balls and unstoppable long range efforts. He is definitely an A-League legend.
Memorable moment: 2009-2010. One of the best goals in the A-League. His long-range goal against Gold Coast United came from the outside of the foot and from a free-kick.
3. Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory)
No one can ever stop the greatest ever goalscorer in this country. Archie Thompson has shown he can hit the back of the net since day one.
He just passed Smeltz as the highest goalscorer, and he deserves it, his commitment to Melbourne Victory further evidence of his character.
10 years and almost 80 goals in the A-League, Thompson is a legend.
Memorable moment: 2006-07 grand final. Thompson scored five goals out of six to drown out Adelaide United in the title decider.
2. Alessandro Del Piero (Sydney FC)
“That’s what they came to see, that’s the measure of the man!” Those were the words coming from Simon Hill’s lips when the Italian maestro scored his first goal in the A-League!
Alessandro Del Piero joined Sydney FC after 19 years with Italian giants Juventus. He brought his intelligence to Australia along with his goalscoring abilities that won him the World Cup with Italy.
Many may argue that Spanish international David Villa is the best signing in A-League history, but what Del Piero did for the A-League makes him one of the greatest signings in Australian sport.
Memorable moment: four goals and one assist against Wellington Phoenix in a 7-1 win!
1. Thomas Broich (Brisbane Roar)
Who else could it be? The German maestro has been the best import in the A-League.
The two-time Johnny Warren medalist known for his amazing footwork and vision, he has influenced so many youngsters to become something better.
He has done so much to Australian football on and off the pitch, and he is definitely one to look back on for years to come.
Memorable moment: three grand-final assists. The first for Erik Paartalu (2010-11), and twice for the former “Killer B” Besart Berisha (2011-12 2013-14) he has played.
Honourable mentions: Clint Bolton, Sasa Ognenovski, Patrick Zwaanswijk, Marcos Flores, Sergio Van Djik, Nikolai Toper-Stanley, Matt Simon, Jason Culina and Ante Covic.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Dwight Yorke and Juninho, not saying where they should be on the list or if they even make it, but just reading this headline made me remember them for the first time in ages haha!
Kurt
Guest
Zwaanzjilk, as a best man nearly took the johny, yeah he had 4 more games than broich, but who's come close as a defender, man is god in the backs. Where's the back in the list? Or do you follow the aloisi style 9 forwards and a keeper. Ps how you hold any keeper above Ryan, tip of the hat for originality
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Broich is a super player. But, regardless, Carlos is No.1 for me. Technically, Carlos is far superior to Broich on set pieces, scored many more goals from free play & (I'll have to check) but I'd say Carlos has more assists. And, above all, Carlos could keep his feet. He'd be chopped at the ankles every time he got the ball, but he didn't go rolling over like a rag doll. He'd simply shrug off opponents & deliver the perfect pass. I'd have Gui Finkler above Ono. Ono played some superb games in his first season and was pretty anonymous in his 2nd season. Surely Theo is better than Galekovic? And Langerak is the best GK to have ever played in the ALeague. Maty Ryan must also be high up on the list. Dwight Yorke was superb .. but, perhaps, the writer wasn't following ALeague in 2005/06? To be honest, it's pointless trying to create lists like this.
nordster
Guest
1. Berisha...the whole package...mentality, lethal scoring, influence on a team...here in his prime...
vocans
Guest
I'm glad Del Piero is on your list - it doesn't really matter where. A great role model in how to play the game, both technically and personally. He played like an angel a couple of feet off the ground, while the rest toiled trying to make it happen. Seamless presence and smooth intelligence, and he had the skills to match! The park was a chess board and he was never surprised by any move on it - not by his own team or by his opponents. He didn't even seem to surprise himself!
Towser
Guest
As a footballer ,based on talent Del Piero was in a league of his own,no other player came close. So in my book the order of this list depends on what we're talking about. If it's about talent Del Piero,if about contributing to the success of a team, also no challenge, Thomas Broich.
TheMagnificent11
Roar Guru
Carusca definitely deserves a mention. The list seems fair. All the players, except ADP, have helped their side win a premiership or championship. I suspect Carusca will have done that by the time he finishes up in the A-League. Dwight Yorke probably deserves a mention too.
punter
Guest
Everyone underestimates Marcelo Carusca, he's got pedigree, he's got skill & would be close to be the best player in the A-League.
Wynter
Roar Pro
I would Place Ono as #2 tbh, out of Del Piero, Heskey and Himself, Ono came and engineered a team which had just been created to a Minor Premiership and 2 successive finals, before sealing our Path through the ACL in one of his final games, even with the ACL win you can see that his overall touch and quality is being heavily missed. Broich is far and away the #1 though. Nice article :)