With the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 season fast approaching, we take a look at some of the greatest players to have graced the competition over the past 12 years.
Today, it’s the defenders in the spotlight.
We’ve picked out six players who have excelled over the course of the competition but it’s up to you to decide who you think has been the best defender over the journey.
Cast your vote at the bottom of the page.
Andrew Durante
No outfield player has appeared more often in the Hyundai A-League than the man universally known as ‘Dura’.
After winning the Joe Marston Medal and helping Newcastle to Grand Final victory in 2007/08, Durante crossed the Tasman to link up with Wellington.
The composed central defender has played 228 times for the Phoenix and is about to enter his tenth season as club captain.
Tarek Elrich
The livewire fullback has featured in all 12 Hyundai A-League seasons, starting with a six-year stint at Newcastle, including winning the 2007/08 Championship.
He then had a season with Western Sydney before moving to Adelaide United where he’s been a virtual ever-present. Won a second title in 2015/16 with the Reds.
Elrich mixes solid defence with an ability to get forward and a penchant for scoring spectacular goals.
Kevin Muscat
After a storied overseas career, the former Caltex Socceroos captain returned home to play the first six Hyundai A-League seasons for Melbourne Victory.
He was named the club’s player of the season three times and twice led the Big V to the Premiership / Championship double.
A no-nonsense defender and inspirational leader, Muscat was also very consistent from the penalty spot, rarely missing from 12 yards.
Alex Wilkinson
In the first seven seasons of the Hyundai A-League, the popular centre-back barely missed a game for the Mariners, twice winning the Premier’s Plate and appearing in three Grand Finals.
An overseas stint followed before he returned home for a year with Melbourne City and then secured a move to Sydney FC.
The 16-time Caltex Socceroo played all but 23 minutes of the Sky Blues’ all-conquering 2016/17 campaign, playing a key role in their record-breaking defensive displays.
Patrick Zwaanswijk
The popular Dutch defender joined the Mariners at the age of 35 but proved to be an astute acquisition with his composure and leadership steeling the Yellow and Navy’s defence under Graham Arnold.
Zwaanswijk formed a rock-solid partnership with Socceroos defender Trent Sainsbury in the middle of defence and scored the opener in the 2013 Grand Final win against the Wanderers.
The Dutchman was a fan favourite on the Coast and had a penchant for spectacular long-range strikes.
Jade North
The veteran defender has enjoyed a hugely successful Hyundai A-League career with current club Brisbane Roar and former sides Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix.
North captained the Jets in their 2008 Grand Final win over the Mariners and won a second Championship with Brisbane Roar in 2014.
A model of consistency, North’s ability to read the play and outsmart younger, quicker opponents has made him one of the game’s most respected defenders.
