Nick Ansell (Melbourne Victory)
The only defender in this list, Nick Ansell had an outstanding season helping the Victory to a Premiership/Championship double in 2014-15. The 21-year-old was part of an outstanding defensive cohort with the club conceding only 31 goals all season, forming a formidable central-defensive pairing with with Frenchman Matthieu Delpierre. Ansell will be hoping that will continue this coming season, as he fits the perfect description of the new-age central-defender. Tall, strong, a ball-player and a leader, he has all the qualities to succeed in the A-League and on the international stage.
Ansell will again be important for the Victory in defending their title, if the youngster is able to keep fit, it is hard to see Muscat’s men being challenged this season. If he can continue his good form from last year he will surely be in contention to be picked for Ange Postecoglou’s Australian squad.
Brandon Borrello (Brisbane Roar)
Borrello burst onto the scene last season by scoring a number of crucial goals in what was a difficult run for Brisbane. The 20-year-old netted four times in 28 appearances in the A-League, being deployed on the right-wing in a 4-3-3 system. Borrello is seen as the future for the Roar and will be hoping to make more of an impact this season. A quick and skillful winger, he can change the game in an instance, illustrated against Wellington when he beat the offside trap and calmly slipped the ball past the goalkeeper. Borrello will be out to prove that he is not just a one-season wonder, and he continued his good form in friendlies against Villareal and Liverpool. It was in the game against the English giants that Borrello really showed his class.
Although he was unable to get onto the scoresheet, Borrello was not overawed by the Premier League opposition and continued to harass the Liverpool defence. Being only 20-years-old, he may still be a few consistent seasons away from a senior national team call-up, but Borrello has a big future ahead of him. If the winger can be on form in the coming campaign, he will surely attract overseas attention.
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