From Harry Kewell to Thomas Broich: Goal.com's 2011-12 A-League Team of the Season

Apr 25, 2012 1:01:00 AM

Another exciting campaign in the Australian top flight came to a close on Sunday and Goal.com looks back on the entire season to name the competition's Best XI

A-League

2011-12 Team Of The Season:

GOALKEEPER

Mat RYAN
Central Coast
Apps: 24
Clean Sheets: 8

The 20-year-old goalkeeper had another standout season making countless superb saves as Central Coast became Premiers. The Mariners, with Ryan between the sticks, conceded the fewest goals in the A-League during the regular season. He picked up several honours this season too, including his first Socceroos call-up, as well as the league's Young Player and Goalkeeper of the Year awards.

DEFENDERS

Pedj BOJIC Central Coast Apps: 27 Goals: 2 Assists: 6	Andrew DURANTE Wellington Apps: 28 Goals: 1 Assists: 0	P. ZWAANSWIJK Central Coast Apps: 29 Goals: 7 Assists: 0	Aziz BEHICH Melbourne Heart Apps: 24 Goals: 1 Assists: 5
The tireless Bojic had another fine season at right-back for the Mariners, with his hard-running contributing to their attacking threat, along with keeping a tight defence. Bojic's six assists show the value he added to their frontline. Wellington skipper Durante gets the nod at centre-back after another accomplished campaign where he seldom put a foot wrong and helped the Phoenix reach the finals again. The Mariners' big Dutch central defender Zwaanswijk was one of the first picked in this Best XI as he would often dominate his opponents the air in defence. The veteran also showed off his attacking quality with several rockets from his powerful left boot. Australia youth international Behich gets the call at left-back after a breakthrough season where he was full of energy down the flank.

MIDFIELDERS

Mitch NICHOLS Brisbane Roar Apps: 24 Goals: 10 Assists: 3	Jacob BURNS Perth Glory Apps: 28 Goals: 1 Assists: 2	Thomas BROICH Brisbane Roar Apps: 20 Goals: 3 Assists: 7	Harry KEWELL Melbourne Victory Apps: 25 Goals: 8 Assists: 4
Brisbane midfielder Nichols enjoyed arguably his most consistent season to date, netting some 10 goals as the Roar won the championship. The 22-year-old seemed to be developing his game, with his neat passing combined with a good football brain. Glory captain Burns is the midfield enforcer, after another year where his tough tackling ways were on show, but he added some passing quality too. German midfield maestro Broich gets the gig as the team's true creative midfielder after a stellar campaign where he did miss a chunk of action due to injury. Brisbane had a lean spell in his absence, such is his influence, with his midfield guile and coolness on the ball often decisive. Marquee man Kewell is perhaps a controversial choice given he probably didn't meet the fans' huge expectations, but he still produced some sublime football for Victory, with some wonderful goals his highlight.

STRIKERS

Besart BERISHA Brisbane Roar Apps: 29 Goals: 21 Assists: 5	Shane SMELTZ Perth Glory Apps: 26 Goals: 17 Assists: 1
There's no doubting Berisha was the find of the 2011-12 season after his arrival from Germany's 2. Bundesliga. The Albanian's goalscoring instinct saw him net 21 times throughout the campaign, with cool finishing and a tireless workrate his best attributes. Perth's New Zealand international Smeltz is alongside him after another season where he racked up the goals. Smeltz may not get too much of the football, but when he does, he makes it count.

BENCH

Clint Bolton (Melbourne Heart), Matt Smith (Brisbane Roar), Ivan Franjic (Brisbane Roar), Fred (Melbourne Heart), Paul Ifill (Wellington Phoenix)

Have your say! Vote below for your player of the season from our Best XI? And let us know who you think should be in, or out, of the A-League Best XI for 2011-12?

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