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Football is a team game, but in any professional team there is usually one player who can make the difference.
Daily Mail Australia has selected the 12 key individuals who will largely determine the fate of their A-League teams once the season kicks off on Friday night.
Here are the dynamic dozen.
Adelaide United
He may nudge 31, but winger Craig Goodwin will be a crucial player for Carl Veart’s Reds. A great chance to be named in the Socceroos roster for the World Cup in Qatar, Goodwin has a great left foot and is a natural leader.
Look for him to pair up with Ben Halloran, who has returned to the City of Churches after a stint in South Korea with FC Seoul.
Brisbane Roaro
Charlie Austin is exactly what coach Warren Moon craved – a natural goalscorer. The one-time English Premier League star with Southampton will set a better standard at the club as the youthful squad strives to break into the top six.
Brisbane Roar will look to Charlie Austin for leadership on the pitch and to score their goals
Central Coast Mariners
Jason Cummings is an off-field character, but come on match day, the Scottish-born striker means business. Also in the mix for Graham Arnold’s Socceroos squad, his pairing with 18-year-old Garang Kuol could terrorize the defense from the opening round if they click.
Mariners star Jason Cummings has a spring in his step after his recent Socceroos debut – he’ll also have to fire if the Central Coast wants to play finals football again
Macarthur FC
While upcoming coach Dwight Yorke will be making headlines when he steps into management after a stellar career with the likes of Aston Villa and Manchester United, Daniel de Silva will be the man he appears to lead midfield.
He was only 25 and made his A-League debut at the age of 15 with Perth Glory. His pairing with fellow attacking x-factor Daniel Arzani has Bulls fans salivating.
Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke will offer A-list quality as he first enters management for Macarthur FC
Melbourne City
Minor premiers last season, coach Pat Kisnorbo has an embarrassment of wealth at his disposal. Andrew Nabbout provides the grunt, and Jamie Maclaren will be in charge of making the net. Both men will be aiming for 20-goal campaigns, with Maclaren a four-time A-League Golden Boot winner.
Melbourne win
Portugal-born superstar Nani will be the reason many people come through the gates, but Joshua Brillante looms up as the man Coach Tony Popovic relies on to run the show. The A-League journeyman sets the pace of matches, with his energy levels and sharp passes that inspire his teammates.
If Melbourne Victory skipper Joshua Brillante has a big season, Tony Popovic’s men will be hard to beat
Newcastle Jets
Arthur Papas loves entrepreneurial football and would be quietly confident that his team can shock this season. Matt Jurman is likely to be a busy man to lead the defence, and if he can regain the form in which he was selected for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Newcastle could be in the final.
Perth Glory
Liam Reddy of Perth Glory at 41 (center photo) is living proof that age is just a number
Coach Ruben Zadkovich is happy to fly under the radar – and the only way is to follow last season’s wooden spoon. goalkeeper Liam Reddy is 41 and will remarkably largely determine how the men in purple fare.
The son of NRL legend Rod Reddy is the ultimate competitor and an impressive figure between the sticks.
Sydney FC
The Sky Blues will have an English twist this season, with one-time Everton star Jack Rodwell and Joe Lolley in midfield. In front Adam Le Fondre is a target striker, and if he has a big season, so will Sydney FC, who missed the final of the previous campaign.
Adam Le Fondre is a target striker, and if he tops a big season, Sydney FC will too
Wellington Phoenix
After two years in Australia due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Ufuk Talay’s squad is finally returning to New Zealand. They are a no-nonsense team that wants to turn their home into a fortress. Looking for an experienced striker Kosta Barbarouses to be their main man in the final third.
Western Sydney Wanderers
Terry Antonis will anchor midfield for the Wanderers and should thrive alongside veteran Oliver Bozanic and Serbian legend Milos Ninković
As is often the case with the Wanderers, many new faces have been ushered in in the lead up to a new campaign. Terry Antonis will anchor the midfield and the one-time rising star should thrive alongside veteran Oliver Bozanic and Serbian legend Milos Ninković, who will have a point to prove after leaving Sydney FC.
Western United
Will be the team everyone is looking for after their grand finale triumph in May. Neil Kilkenny offers steel in the middle of the park, and if he pairs well with outgoing Italian veteran Alessando Diamanti, John Aloisi’s squad could go back to back.