Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) has launched the A-League Men ‘Team of the Second Decade’, a player-voted initiative to recognise the most outstanding footballers, coach, and referee from the past 10 years of the competition.
Marking the A-League Men’s 20th season, the final player-voted team will recognise the contributions of 16 players — 11 starters and five substitutes — alongside a coach and referee, all selected by PFA members.
The player eligibility period spans 10 seasons, from the 2015-16 season through to the completion of the 2024-25 regular season. Players who have played two seasons or more during this period are eligible. The vote will take place following the conclusion of Round 29.
PFA Chief Executive Beau Busch said it was important to honour the league’s most influential players over the past decade, and their contribution to Australian domestic football.
“The strength of the A-League Men’s competition is built on the quality and character of its players,” Busch said.
“As the league celebrates 20 years, this is a fitting way to recognise those who have consistently performed at the highest level over the past 10 years.
“As a player there is no greater honour than the respect of your peers and the Team of the Decade will provide our members with the unique opportunity to acknowledge those who have left a lasting impact on the league.”
The PFA first introduced the A-League Men Team of the Decade at the conclusion of the 2014-15 season, following the first 10 years of the A-League.
That team featured some of the Australian club game’s most iconic players, including former Socceroos Kevin Muscat (who was named captain), Archie Thompson and Matt McKay, as well as international stars including Thomas Broich, Besart Berisha and Alessandro Del Piero.
Ange Postecoglou, now the head coach of Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur, was voted as the coach, while Strebre Delovski was named referee.
Like the inaugural Team of the Decade, the upcoming selection will follow the same format, with the player receiving the highest number of votes named captain.
PFA A-League Men Team of the Decade (2005-2015):
Goalkeeper: Eugene Galekovic
Defenders: Cassio, Kevin Muscat (Captain), Patrick Zwaanswijk, Ivan Franjic
Midfielders: Matt McKay, Carlos Hernandez, Thomas Broich
Forwards: Archie Thompson, Besart Berisha, Shane Smeltz
Substitutes: Michael Theo (GK), Adama Traore, Mark Milligan, Steve Corica, Alessandro Del Piero
Coach: Ange Postecoglou
Referee: Strebre Delovski
