The Top 5 suprise performers of the A - League

Its fair to say that the best Hyundai A - League season to date has come to a conclusion. Finally the Central Coast Mariners take out the Grand Final and can no longer hold the chokers label. With their succes this season we truly hope that support for the Mariners on the coast will sky rocket, to ease some financial pain. But with success comes downfalls, and the champions look set to lose up to five first team players. Ibini, Ryan and Sainsbury look set to head to Europe, whilst Danny Mcbreen and Pedj Bojic could join rival A - League teams.

No doubt the marquee signings were the highlight of the competition but the resurrections and coming of age of some of our local players was just as exciting. So often we give negative feedback to players when things arent going so well, so here at insidetheboxFC we like to stick to the positives. We have discussed and come up with the The Top 5 suprise performers of the A - League for season 2012/2013, we know its early but bring on next season.

5. Michael Beauchamp

Much like the baulk of the Wanderers squad Michael Beauchamp's A - League career was hanging on by a thread. Not wanted by arch rivals Sydney FC Tony Popovic picked up one of the buys of the season. Not only did he form one of the best centre back pairings in the competition but he was handed the captaincy and the move seem to spur Beauchamp to a new level.

4. Daniel Mcbreen

Daniel Mcbreen was always a good player, but this year he turned into a great player. He took out the golden boot scoring 17 goals in 25 games and then the Johnny Warren medal. At 36 years of age Daniel had the best season of his career and theres no reason why it can't continue next year, whether it will be with Mariners or not we will have to wait and see.


3. Mark Bridge

Much like his captan, Mark Bridge was unwanted by Sydney FC but super coach Popa saw something in Bridge to sign him at the Wanderers for their inaugural season. In recent years Bridge looked unfit and disinterested at the sky blues, this season it was the exact opposite.

2. Nikolai Topor - Stanley

Big Nikolai Topor - Stanley was an A - League journeymen, the Wanderers is his fourth club and it seems all it took was a decent coach and culture to really get the best out of him. He was almost lost to China in the off season but thankfully he stayed in the A - League and its done wanders for his Socceroos ambitions. By far one of the best centre backs in the comp this season well done Nikolai.


1. Trent Sainsbury

The biggest suprise packet of the A - League this season was young gun Trent Sainsbury. A championship medal and a successful Asian Champions League campaign has topped of a stellar year for the kid from Perth. No doubt in our mind Sainsbury was the best centre back in the A - League this year. With reported interest from Bolton, Southampton and Club Brugge its obvious we aren't alone in our opinion.