Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) have named their Isuzu UTE A-League Team of the Season ahead of this weekend’s Grand Final in Auckland.
The squad – which is voted for by members of the PFA – consists of 18 players plus a Head Coach to form a starting side and substitutes.
With Auckland FC and Sydney FC now set to do battle in this weekend’s Isuzu UTE A-League season finale, five players across both sides have been voted into the squad by their peers.
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Following a stand-out season, Sydney FC goalkeeper Harrison DevenishMeares has been named both goalkeeper and captain of the side having received the most votes out of all his teammates.
“Just being part of the professional football community in Australia means the world to me, so to be named captain of the Team of the Season feels very humbling and honestly quite surreal,” the Sydney FC goalkeeper said.
“To be recognised by my peers in this way is something I’m incredibly grateful for.”
Sydney FC shot-stopper Devenish-Meares is joined in the squad by teammate and Socceroos World Cup hopeful Paul Okon-Engstler, who has been named on the PFA’s Team of the Season bench.
Meanwhile Auckland FC stars Francis de Vries, Dundee United-bound attacker Jesse Randall and Golden Boot winner Sam Cosgrove all feature in the starting line-up.
They may have missed out on securing a spot in the Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final however SEVEN Newcastle Jets players have been named in the squad following their impressive campaign.
Defender Mark Natta, midfielder Max Burgess and forward Clayton Taylor have all been named in the PFA’s starting XI whilst goalkeeper James Delianov, defender Daniel
Wilmering, midfielder Lachlan Bayliss and attacker Eli Adams secured a position on the bench after all helped the Jets win both the Premiers Plate and Australia Cup.
Spanish World Cup winner Juan Mata enjoyed a fine debut campaign for Melbourne Victory and takes up his spot in a three-man midfield.
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Beaten semi-finalists Adelaide United are represented by young duo Panagiotis Kikianis and Ethan Alagich, both of whom are in the starting lineup.
Finally Melbourne City full back Nathaniel Atkinson earns a spot in the starting line-up whilst City skipper and Socceroos stalwart Aziz Behich has been named among the substitutes alongside young attacker Marcus Younis.
In charge of the side is Newcastle Jets boss Mark Milligan following his incredible rookie season which has seen him land two trophies.
About the team
The team comprises of a 4-3-3 formation (although does not necessarily reflect the true starting XI position of each player), with seven substitutes on the bench.
All selected players received the most votes among their peers by PFA A-League Men members at the conclusion of the regular season. The members also voted on their coach of the season.
Goalkeeper:
Harrison Devenish-Meares (Sydney FC)
Defenders:
Nathaniel Atkinson (Melbourne City), Panagiotis Kikianis (Adelaide United), Mark Natta (Newcastle Jets), Francis De Vries (Auckland FC)
Midfielders:
Ethan Alagich (Adelaide United), Max Burgess (Newcastle Jets), Juan Mata (Melbourne Victory)
Forwards:
Clayton Taylor (Newcastle Jets), Sam Cosgrove (Auckland FC), Jesse Randall (Auckland FC)
Head Coach:
Mark Milligan (Newcastle Jets)
Substitutes:
James Delianov (Newcastle Jets), Daniel Wilmering (Newcastle Jets), Aziz Behich (Melbourne City), Lachlan Bayliss (Newcastle Jets), Paul Okon-Engstler (Sydney FC), Eli Adams (Newcastle Jets), Marcus Younis (Melbourne City)
Based on peer recognition, selection in the PFA Team of the Season remains one of the highest accolades a professional footballer can receive in Australia.
At the end of each season, PFA members from the A-Leagues are asked to vote on their best XI.
The composition of the team is based on the number of votes tallied for each player in each position, with the substitutes bench comprising those players who finished below those in the starting XI positions.
The player with the most votes is determined the Team of the Season’s Captain.
