We take a look at some wildcards, who could make a big impact.
The players regarded as the best for each side in the Hyundai A-League finals are going to be clearly marked.
Everyone knows Wellington Phoenix have a star in Paul Ifill, that Brisbane Roar pack a mean one-two punch with Thomas Broich and Besart Berisha, that Central Coast Mariners have a production line of youthful talent – Bozanic, Amini, Ibini, Ryan… the list goes on and Perth have the sweet-striking Shane Smeltz at their disposal.
But what of the players who can sneak under the radar and cause some damage of their own? We take a look at those here.
Have your say on who the biggest under the radar threats in the A-League finals are by leaving a comment below
Watch out Glory: As good as your defence may be when it comes to taking care of set pieces and the wide areas there does little doubt that Leo Bertos can cause problems if you allow him to run and gun at you.
He-s shown plenty of times this season that he has the skills on the ball, but it might just be his delivery from set pieces that becomes the biggest problem for other teams, his six assists for the season has him ranked equal third in the league.
Bertos also claimed ‘Goal of the Week- two weeks ago with a wicked, swinging free-kick that left Mat Ryan stranded just off his line and against Sydney FC two of his pinpoint crosses led directly to Phoenix goals.
To see Bertos at his most dangerous, click here.
Watch Out Phoenix: While Bertos may prove to be poisonous for Perth Glory, it is true they could just have the antidote in Josh Risdon.
Somewhat of a fan favourite at the Glory and a candidate for the NAB Young Player of the Year, Risdon has come of age in season 2011/12 and even represented the Australian Under 23s towards the end of their failed Olympic bid.
The stylistic defender not only has speed to burn, but is dogged when it comes to making sure he puts in physical challenges and his forays forward often create an overlap for the Glory, allowing the likes of Shane Smeltz and Billy Mehmet to get into position in the box.
The second match of the weekend will see Brisbane Roar travel to the Gosford for yet another battle with Central Coast Mariners and if the Mariners are to claw back the deficit from their first-leg loss then someone will have to step up.
Watch out Brisbane Roar: New Zealand born midfielder Michael McGlinchey brings creative flair to an industrious midfield and his passing and vision is where the majority of their goals come from.
In fact he is so good at putting his strikers through on goal that he leads the A-League in assists, with eight, and has also netted one goal this year. Like Bertos for the Phoenix, his ability to deliver a thunderous or well-placed free kick is also vital to his team-s chances of success.
Watch out Mariners: Yet another free-kick exponent rounds out our four under the radar stars and that is Brisbane Roar-s Bahraini import, Mohamed Adnan.
It-s long been known that he fancies his chances from the dead-ball and when he scored this cracker against Sydney FC he franked that reputation, but the defender is also known for his skill in the air and his 13 goals for Bahrain have often come in this manner.
If the likes of Berisha and Henrique aren-t threatening, he provides a somewhat different option, that of a deadly aerial threat.
Agree or disagree with who the under the radar finals threats are? Have your say below
