Pim's slap in the face for the A-League

[Wedgie]

Congratulations on knowing Joe Martson Wedgie. Our lone soldier during his time there.

He may not have haveen a lone soldier, he just sprang to mind because he played in a FA Cup.

[sydney-dog]

the standard is improving, however, it is a long way from being classed as a high standard

decisions and finishing in the final third, set peices and players first touch, these areas need to improve before we can boast that our league is a high quality league

[hearts on fire]

The A-League is a very average league but give it about 10 years time and it could be a very competitive competition.....

[whufc]

The players of the late 80's and 90's may have been better BUT one thing they failed to do which the players of the 2000's have done already is QUALIFY FOR A WORLD CUP, i think that is a pretty impressive performance to put on their CV

[Wedgie]

The players of the late 80's and 90's may have been better BUT one thing they failed to do which the players of the 2000's have done already is QUALIFY FOR A WORLD CUP, i think that is a pretty impressive performance to put on their CV

All the players who qualified for the world cup came through the NSL not the A-League though.

[redden whites]

The players of the late 80's and 90's may have been better BUT one thing they failed to do which the players of the 2000's have done already is QUALIFY FOR A WORLD CUP, i think that is a pretty impressive performance to put on their CV

Say What!

[Dirko]

The players of the late 80's and 90's may have been better BUT one thing they failed to do which the players of the 2000's have done already is QUALIFY FOR A WORLD CUP, i think that is a pretty impressive performance to put on their CV

Mark Schwarzer - Marconni
Lucas Neill - Milwall via AIS *
Craig Moore - Rangers via AIS *
Tim Cahill - Milwall via Sydney United *
Jason Čulina - Sydney Olympic
Tony Popović - Sydney United
Brett Emerton - Sydney Olympic
Josip Skoko - Hajduk Split via AIS *
Mark Viduka - Melbourne Knights
Harry Kewell - Liverpool via Marconni Stallions *
Stan Lazaridis - West Adelaide
Ante Čović - Marconi Stallions
Vincenzo Grella - Carlton
Scott Chipperfield - Wollongong Wolves
John Aloisi - Adelaide City
Michael Beauchamp - Parramatta Power
Archie Thompson - Carlton
Zeljko Kalac - Sydney United
Joshua Kennedy - Carlton
Luke Wilkshire - Middlesbrough via AIS *
Mile Sterjovski - Parramatta Power
Mark Milligan - Northern Spirit
Mark Bresciano - Carlton

The clubs listed next to the players are the LAST side they played for in Australia OR the side in which they made the most appearances for.
So from the squad that was selected for the World Cup 2006, which was 99% the side that qualified, only 6 players DID NOT play in the NSL. They either went straight overseas from the AIS but Harry went via Marconi juniors, Tim went via Sydney Utd juniors & John went via City juniors although he did play 1 game.

It will take until at least the World Cup 2014 or even 18 to have any where near the numbers of blokes starting off their careers in the A-League.