We rank the 10 most underrated A-League players ahead of the new season.
10. Manny Muscat (Wellington Phoenix)
Muscat’s versatility and work-rate make him one of Wellington’s key assets. His physicality and combative nature makes him a player no-one likes to come up against.
9. Josh Rose (Central Coast Mariners)
A typical overlapping left-back, Rose combines pace with an exceptional work rate. His final delivery from wide areas lets him down, but he doesn’t get the plaudits he deserves.
8. Massimo Murdocca (Melbourne City)
Tiny in stature, Murdocca holds his own in what can be an physical league and he has been excellent in all nine seasons of the competition so far. Consistent.
7. Andrew Hoole (Newcastle Jets)
The local boy is equally as adept at right midfield as he is at right back and has been a shining light in what has been a difficult few years for the Jets.
6. Isaias Sanchez (Adelaide United)
Doesn’t have the flair as some of his other Latin teammates at Adelaide, but does his job perfectly. Sitting as a deep-lying midfielder, Isaias dictates the Reds’ tempo as well as breaking down the opposition play.
5. Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory)
Broxham divides the opinion of Victory fans like no other, but his versatility and dependability makes him a key figure within the squad. A real leader, too.
4. Albert Riera (Wellington Phoenix)
Arriving in New Zealand as a backpacker, Riera has enjoyed an incredible rise to prominence in the A-League. The Spaniard was Wellington’s most important player last season, but didn’t get the recognition he deserved across to ditch in Australia.
3. Osama Malik (Adelaide United)
Malik stepped up massively last season, but was praised mostly for his physical presence and his defending. However, Malik also showed a great football brain and exceptional technical ability. A future Socceroo.
2. Mateo Poljak (Western Sydney Wanderers)
The Croatian missed a fair chunk of last season and it was obvious how much his absence hurt Tony Popovic’s team. Poljak rarely loses a battle in midfield and runs himself into the ground. Aside from his fighting qualities, Poljak rarely gives up possession and is a key cog in the Wanderers side.
1. Iacopo La Rocca (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Simple, but effective.
The Italian has been key in the Wanderers reaching the last two Grand Finals, but doesn’t get the plaudits due to his at times combative style.