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Who are the A-League game-changers?

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We’re moving into the business end of one of the closest Hyundai A-League seasons in years heading into Round 26.

But who is most important to their side’s hopes of going all the way?

We checked out Opta stats to come up with the stats superstars who’ll win games and torment the opposition. 

Milos Dimitrijevic: Sydney FC’s midfield maestro

While marquee man Marc Janko’s 16 goals have received most of the attention, the Serbian midfielder is a vital component to Sydney FC’s championship challenge. Dimitrijevic is the complete midfielder, as you’ll see. 

Milos Dimitrijevic

Assists: 4 

Chances created: 46

Crosses: 118 crosses 

Successful dribbles: 45 

Won fouls: 42

Passes: 1412 passes for the season at 87.4% accuracy. 

Interceptions in the middle of the park: 50

Ball recoveries: 164 (the most of anyone in his side) 

Nathan Burns: Phoenix’s new sensation

Burns has been a revelation since linking up with Ernie Merrick’s Phoenix, culminating in a return to the Green and Gold for the Asian Cup. 

Nathan Burns was named the Hyundai A-League's best in 2014/15.

Goals: 13 goals for the campaign – second only to Janko – with all of those strikes coming from inside the box. 

Shots: 47 (with 34 of those on target at 72.3% accuracy)

Dribbles: a league-high 76 successful dribbles

Assists: 4  

Key passes: 26

Ball recoveries: 79 

Fouls won: 49

Gui Finkler: Victory’s X-Factor

In a side with so many classy players and match-winners, the Brazilian maestro looms as Victory’s key man if they are to go all the way. The only genuine ‘No.10’ in the squad, Finkler seems to be hitting his traps at just the right time of the season. 

Gui Finkler celebrates his equaliser against the Mariners at AAMI Park.

Goals: 3 in his last three matches and 7 goals for the campaign 

Attempts at goal: 21 

Conversion rate: 33%. 

Assists: 8 

Crosses: 143 

Key passes/chances created: 54 

Marcelo Carrusca – Adelaide’s orchestrator

The Argentine has enjoyed his best season in the Hyundai A-League: of the six matches Carrusca has missed this season, Adelaide have lost four of them, while only losing four of the 19 he has played.

Adelaide's Spanish star Marcelo Carrusca has been a standout performer this season.

Goals:  Adelaide’s leading scorer [alongside Pablo Sanchez] with seven for the season

Assists: 3

Crosses: 90

Chances created: 24

Successful dribbles: 27

Fouls won: 33

Luke Brattan– Brisbane Roar’s long-pass master

Brattan that could be Roar’s most important player over the next month.

Roar's Luke Brattan curls a free-kick in Wednesday night's loss.

Ball recoveries: 197 (highest in the team)

Tackles: 60

Interceptions: 60

Passes: 1496 (at almost 83% accuracy)

A-League finals