In the most recent World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and the UAE, Caltex Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou lined his men up in a 3-2-4-1 formation.
The national team manager will likely stay with a similar formation for next month’s clashes with Saudi Arabia and Brazil on home soil, along with the Confederations Cup in Russia.
But what if Postecoglou had to pick a side with players solely based in the Hyundai A-League? Well we think he’d spoiled for choice!
We’ve put together a squad from the A-League which could do the job in Ange’s re-jigged system.
Goalkeeper: Danny Vukovic (Sydney FC): The standout stopper in the Hyundai A-League deservedly earned a Socceroos call-up for their last two World Cup qualifiers.
Right centre-back: Rhys Williams (Victory): The Melbourne-bound defender already has 14 international caps and was likened by club legend Archie Thompson this week to French maestro Mathieu Delpierre.
Centre-back: Alex Wilkinson (Sydney FC): An excellent season at the heart of the champions’ defence showed his Caltex Socceroos days are far from over.
Left centre-back: Luke DeVere (Roar): Faced Germany in an international friendly in 2015 and would bring wholehearted energy and enthusiasm to the Australian back three.
Defensive midfielder: Josh Brillante (Sydney FC): Last played for Australia in 2014 but a mountainous force in midfield with an eye for spectacular goals.
Defensive midfielder: Brandon O’Neill (Sydney FC): Having represented his country at youth level, the time could be right for the tireless terrier to make the step up to the Caltex Socceroos.
Right attacking midfielder: Riley McGree (Adelaide United): The bolter in the last Australian squad, with Ange Postecoglou on record as saying he’d have no trouble throwing the teenager into action.
Left attacking midfielder: James Troisi (Victory): After a year out of the Caltex Socceroos set-up, his fabulous Hyundai A-League form saw him force his way back into international reckoning.
Right wing-back: Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC): His sizzling Sky Blues season earned him selection in the national squad for the first time and he’d let no-one down if given the chance to represent his country.
Left wing-back: Tommy Oar (Roar): Out of the international reckoning since late 2015, but was a standout in Roar’s run to the Hyundai A-League semi-finals.
Striker: Jamie Maclaren (Roar): Featured twice for the Caltex Socceroos last year and his goalscoring form would make him an almost irresistible selection.
BENCH
Tim Cahill (Melbourne City): A proven performer and with 48 goals for the Caltex Socceroos, one as recently as last year, you can’t go past him.
Michael Zullo (Sydney FC): Last wore his country’s colours over four years ago, but would add impact and thrust down the left.
Brandon Borrello (Roar): Still only 21, the former youth international striker has all the tools to make the step up.
Dylan McGowan (Adelaide United): Has made the move to Portugal in order to catch Ange’s eye and maybe just needs a chance to show his suitability for international football.
Joe Caletti (Roar): Has captained his country at under-17 level and it seems only a matter of time before higher honours are achieved. But he will need to wait his turn with Jedinak, Milligan, Mooy and Irvine all crucial cogs in the Australian midfield.
