A class of their own: honouring the memorable careers of retired legends

On Grand Final day, we pause to applaud the careers of 10 veterans who officially called time on their playing careers in recent times.

These ten players plied their trade in both the National Soccer League (NSL) and A-League in careers spanning across the past 20 years. After a COVID-effected 2019/20 A-League campaign, the players who announced their retirement last season are honoured today alongside those who announced the end to their playing days in 2020/21.

We would like to congratulate Andrew Durante, Mark Milligan, Nigel Boogaard, Brendon Santalab, Nick Ward, Nathan Burns, Iacopo La Rocca, Matt McKay, Dino Djulbic and Michael Thwaite on their magnificent careers and tremendous contribution to the game.

Career stats collated with thanks to Andrew Howe.

VISIT: A-League Grand Final MATCH CENTRE

Andrew Durante

A-League record (358 games, 6 goals)

•  Newcastle Jets (06/07 – 07/08): 40 games, 0 goals
• Wellington Phoenix (08/09 – 18/19): 273 games, 4 goals
• Western United (19/20 – 20/21): 45 games, 2 goals

Australian National Leagues record 

• 01/02 – 20/21: 416 games, 7 goals 

Mark Milligan

A-League record: 166 games, 23 goals

• Sydney FC (05/06 – 07/08): 42 games, 1 goal
• Newcastle Jets (08/09): 11 games, 1 goal
• Melbourne Victory (11/12 – 17/18): 87 games, 18 goals
• Macarthur FC (20/21): 26 games, 3 goals

Australian National Leagues record

• 02/03 – 20/21: 182 games, 24 goals 

Nigel Boogaard

A-League record (275 games, 8 goals)

• Central Coast Mariners (05/06 – 09/10): 55 appearances, 2 goals
• Adelaide United (10/11 – 14/15): 98 appearances, 2 goals
• Newcastle Jets (15/16 – 20/21): 122 appearances, 4 goals

Australian National Leagues record

• 2003/04 – 2020/21: 276  games, 8 goals

Brendon Santalab

A-League record (138 games, 41 goals)

• Sydney FC (07/08 – 08/09): 23 games, 4 goals
• Western Sydney Wanderers (13/14 – 17/18): 97 games, 35 goals
• Perth Glory (18/19): 18 games, 2 goals

Australian National Leagues record

• 00/01 – 18/19: 188, 54 goals   

Dino Djulbic

A-League record (161 games, 8 goals)

• Perth Glory (07/08 – 08/09): 27 games, 0 goals
• Gold Coast United (09/10 – 10/11): 40 games, 4 goals
• Perth Glory (14/15 – 16/17): 58 games, 3 goals
• Melbourne Victory (17/18): 3 games, 0 goals
• Perth Glory (17/18 -19/20): 33 games, 1 goal

Australian National Leagues record

• 07-08 – 19/20: 161 games, 8 goals 

Iacopo La Rocca

A-League record (108 games, 6 goals)

• Western Sydney Wanderers (12/13 – 14/15): 58 games, 6 goals 
• Adelaide United (15/16 – 16/17): 30 games, 0 goals
• Melbourne City (17/18 – 18/19) 20 appearances, 0 goals 

Australian National Leagues record

•  12/13 – 18/19: 108 games, 6 goals

Matt McKay

A-League record (272 games, 26 goals)

• Brisbane Roar (05/06 – 10/11): 131 games, 18 goals
• Brisbane Roar (13/14 – 18/19): 141 games, 8 goals 

Australian National Leagues record

• 01/02 – 18/19: 323 games, 28 goals

Michael Thwaite

A-League record (204 games, 4 goals)

• Melbourne Victory (08/09): 16 games, 0 goals
• Gold Coast United (09/10 – 11/12): 82 games, 1 goal
• Perth Glory (12/13 – 15/16): 85 games, 2 goals
• Western Sydney Wanderers (17/18): 21 games, 1 goal 

Australian National Leagues record

• 02/03 – 17/18: 240 games, 4 goals

Nathan Burns

A-League record (96 games, 24 goals)

• Adelaide United (06/07 – 07/08): 35 games, 9 goals
• Newcastle Jets (13/14): 12 games, 2 goals
• Wellington Phoenix (14/15, 17/18, 18/19): 49 games, 13 goals

Australian National Leagues record

• 06/07 – 18/19: 96 games, 24 goals 

Nick Ward

A-League record (142 games, 16 goals)

• Perth Glory (05/06): 21 games, 5 goals
• Melbourne Victory (07/08 – 10/11): 46 games, 5 goals
• Wellington Phoenix (10/11 – 11/12): 45 games, 4 goals
• Perth Glory (12/13):  23 games, 2 goals
• Newcastle Jets (13/14):  6 games, 0 goals
• Western Sydney Wanderers (14/15): 1 game, 0 goals

Australian National Leagues record

• 03/04 – 14/15: 144 games, 16 goals

Markel Susaeta 

A-League record (33 games, 7 goals)

• Melbourne City (19/20): 10 games, 2 goals
• Macarthur FC (20/21): 23 games, 5 goals

Beñat Etxebarria

A-League record (24 games)

• Macarthur FC (20/21): 24 games, 0 goals