But Milos Ninkovic has a warning to other foreign raiders who think they can come to Australia and dominate from day 1 — the A-League is no cakewalk.

Sydney FC playmaker Ninkovic heads the inaugural NewsCorp A-League Top 50 — a list of the best 50 players, in order, as voted by expert journalists David Davutovic and Matt Windley (Herald Sun), Tom Smithies and Carly Adno (Daily Telegraph), Marco Monteverde (The Courier-Mail) and Val Migliaccio (Adelaide Advertiser).

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The list is a consensus, but there was plenty of debate.

And it is sure to provide a huge talking point ahead of Friday night’s kick-off to season 13.

Ninkovic won out, but there was also a push to make Socceroos star Mark Milligan top, with the returning Melbourne Victory midfielder slotted in at No. 2 ahead of 2015-16 Johnny Warren Medalist Diego Castro.

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Unsurprisingly defending champion Sydney has the most players featuring in the Top 50, with eight in total, but all clubs have at least three stars who make an appearance.

The goalkeeping brigade may be up in arms though, with just one — Newcastle’s Glen Moss — voted worthy of a gig.

But the hardest task of all is judging players sight unseen.

This is an attempt to project forward and predict who are going to be the top 50 players of the season, but there are at least 13 new imports.

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Sydney’s Adrian Mierzejewski is the highest A-League debutant at four, but fellow newbies Eric Bautheac (Brisbane), Karim Matmour (Adelaide) and Oriol Riera (Western Sydney) all feature in the top 10.

Ninkovic said it will be easier said than done for those guys to take the competition by storm right away.

And the Serbian star should know better than most given his first season didn’t hold a candle to what he was able to produce last year.

“The first year when I came, I thought it was going to be easy to play here, especially after I play in France,” Ninkovic told NewsCorp.

“But I remember first training when I came here, it was so difficult. This type of football is very hard.

“Many players, they ask me about Australian football. And everyone, especially foreigners, they think ‘you come to Australia, it’s easy to play’.

“But no, it’s very hard. Physically it is almost like in France, believe me.

“It’s a huge success for me to be voted the best player in this league. There really are some unbelievable players here and that’s why I was so happy to win (the Johnny Warren Medal) — 100 per cent this is one of the best achievements in my career.”

1. Milos Ninkovic

AGE: 32

CLUB: Sydney FC

Last season was the A-League’s player of the year, let alone his club’s best performer, and the devilish brain behind Sydney’s double win. Combines technique, vision and prodigious hard work, running some 12km every game. This year is one of Sydney’s marquees.

2. Mark Milligan

AGE: 32

CLUB: Melbourne Victory

His signing is a massive coup as Milligan is the only bona fide first XI A-League based Socceroo. His leadership and class is one thing, but the midfield position he will fill was problematic for Victory last season. His last A-League game was a man of the match performance in the 2015 grand final, perhaps a good omen for Victory.

3. Diego Castro

AGE: 35

CLUB: Perth Glory

The Spaniard absolutely lights up Glory every time he has the ball, rarely wasting a pass or a goal scoring opportunity. With a strike rate of a goal every two matches, he has knocked in 26 from 53 appearances. One of the A-League’s genuine stars.

4. Adrian Mierzejewski

AGE: 30

CLUB: Sydney FC

Capped 40 times for Poland, already the Sky Blues fans are salivating after seeing Mierzejewski’s performances in the FFA Cup — and coach Graham Arnold reckons he’s nowhere near fit. Has a roaming role in the team, and the ability to play a killer pass over five metres or 50.

5. Eric Bautheac

AGE: 30

CLUB: Brisbane Roar

The French winger is expected to dominate the A-League, with the Roar fortunate to have picked up a player of Bautheac’s calibre so late in the pre-season from Lille. He has a wicked left foot and is regarded as a dead-ball specialist. Bautheac will thrive under the pressure of being expected to deliver.

6. Karim Matmour

AGE: 32

CLUB: Adelaide United

The Algerian international has sublime ball skills and a repertoire of tricks in the right areas. Matmour’s cheeky rabona during the Reds FFA Cup 3-0 win over Heidelberg is one of many. Matmour has controlled aggression and he loves a heated contest.

7. Bruno Fornaroli

AGE: 30

CLUB: Melbourne City

It took less than one season for Fornaroli to stamp himself as one of the best strikers ever to grace the A-League. And while his 17-goal second season didn’t quite reach the heights of 2015-16, there is still no doubting his importance to City’s set up. It is a huge blow to his club’s title chances that the Uruguayan will be out for the first few months with a broken ankle, but maybe when he returns he might be able to slip under the guard of a few opposition defences.

8. Oriol Riera

AGE: 31

CLUB: Western Sydney Wanderers

Spanish striker could be the goal-laden import that Western Sydney have been seeking for years, judging by his impact in the FFA Cup. Importantly he arrived early in pre-season, looks good in the air and on the ground, and shows a pleasing appetite for hard work.

9. James Troisi

AGE: 29

CLUB: Melbourne Victory

Troisi improved as the season wore on and almost won the grand final for Victory in extra-time. His six goals, seven assists and 10 second assists (the pass before the assist) in 26 games was an impressive return, but he has another gear.

10. Besart Berisha

AGE: 32

CLUB: Melbourne Victory

Last season Berisha won his second A-League golden boot award, becoming the first A-League player to reach 100 goals. While scoring 20 in 27 games, he was involved in 29 last season and his workrate coupled with Victory’s improved squad balance means he could reach that tally again.

11. Ronald Vargas

AGE: 30

CLUB: Newcastle Jets

There hasn’t been this much excitement around a Newcastle Jets signing since Emile Heskey arrived in 2012. And while for most fans and pundits he will head into the new season sight unseen, his pedigree as a still semi-regular Venezuelan international is seriously impressive. The attacking midfielder comes to the Hunter Valley from Greek giant AEK Athens, where he scored 14 goals in 56 matches in the past two seasons.

12. Bobo

AGE: 32

CLUB: Sydney FC

Won Sydney’s golden boot last season with 15 goals, and struck a fruitful partnership with Milos Ninkovic, Alex Brosque and Filip Holosko. Back for another year, and must reproduce that goalscoring form if Sydney are to retain their crown.

13. Massimo Maccarone

AGE: 38

CLUB: Brisbane Roar

The former Italian international striker not only has the ability regularly find the back of the net, he also will bring his teammates into play with his unselfishness and sharp football brain. He was still playing in Italy’s Serie A last season, so his pedigree is obvious. Far from a spent force despite his age.

14. Josh Brillante

AGE: 24

CLUB: Sydney FC

Repatriated from a spell in Italy that was going nowhere by Graham Arnold, Brillante responded with a lung-busting season anchoring the Sky Blues midfield. Brillante’s diligence allows Sydney’s creative players to be brave on the ball, but should aim to score more himself.

15. Isaias

AGE: 30

CLUB: Adelaide United

The new Reds skipper is the vital cog to United’s game plan, hovering in front of the back four in a gate keeper’s role. He is arguably the best in the A-League at it. Isaias is also a fighter, smart when it comes to breaking up an attack, committing ‘right’ fouls and rattling the opposition with his chirpy nature.

16. Kosta Barbarouses

AGE: 27

CLUB: Melbourne Victory

Barbarouses has returned to his second home after an unhappy albeit productive stint (five goals, six assists) at Wellington, replacing fellow Kiwi winger Marco Rojas. He has a point to prove after he was dropped from the New Zealand national team last March.

17. Wout Brama

AGE: 31

CLUB: Central Coast Mariners

Capped three times by the Dutch national side, Brama was playing Europa League for FC Utrecht two months ago before the Mariners opportunity popped up. An aggressive leader who’s tactically strong, the former Dutch title winner with FC Twente is exactly what the Mariners need.

18. Daniel Adlung

AGE: 29

CLUB: Adelaide United

Adlung was Reds coach Marco Kurz’s first transfer target but the German European championship under-21 winner was the last to arrive. The former TSV 1860 Munich midfielder was finally convinced to sign when teammate Karim Matmour got on the phone to tell him Adelaide is a great place to be. Adlung has X-factor and box-to-box midfielder qualities.

19. Rhys Williams

AGE: 29

CLUB: Melbourne Victory

A candidate for the signing of the season with the A-League not seeing the best of the former Middlesbrough captain last season. Versatile, Williams will slot into defence but he is physically ready to excel after overcoming injuries that ruled him out of the 2014 World Cup and 2015 Asian Cup.

20. Alvaro Cejudo

AGE: 33

CLUB: Western Sydney Wanderers

Comes to the A-League with a reputation as a fine dribbler, and knows compatriot Oriol Riera well from a season together at Osasuna. When the Wanderers do well, they tend to have a rightwinger in form, and Cujedo’s pedigree is promising on that front.

21. Marcin Budzinski

AGE: 27

CLUB: Melbourne City

Many players have fallen victim to the curse surrounding the marquee position at Melbourne City/Heart - Fred, Orlando Engelaar, Robert Koren, Josh Kennedy, Nicolas Colazo - so how will a relative unknown fare? On face value the attacking midfielder is a curious signing given he has never played outside of Poland. But then again, with the City Football Group’s extensive scouting networks, these are the diamonds in the rough they are expected to find, a la Fornaroli.

22. Andy Keogh

AGE: 31

CLUB: Perth Glory

The Irishman has a brilliant work ethic and is an ‘old school’ No. 9 who is just a joy to watch. He is a defender’s nightmare, has the ability to peel away from his markers to make space and put himself in optimum goal scoring positions. A great finisher with his head and feet and fearless.

23. Brett Holman

AGE: 33

CLUB: Brisbane Roar

Expect the former Socceroo to step up a notch this season. Holman will benefit from a full pre-season after having had little time to properly prepare for his first A-League campaign. A clever player who will link well with Maccarone.

24. Roy Krishna

AGE: 30

CLUB: Wellington Phoenix

With his speed and eye for goal, Krishna is one of the best attackers in the A-League. If he was playing for a club based in Australia, he would much more recognition for his talents. He’s crucial to Phoenix’s chances of playing finals football this season.

25. Xavi Torres

AGE: 30

CLUB: Perth Glory

With 157 games of Spanish La Liga experience Xavi is the man that Glory has potentially missed for years. He is expected to firmly anchor Glory’s midfield in a career which has seen him celebrate wins over Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid. A huge signing for Glory.

26. Alex Brosque

AGE: 33

CLUB: Sydney FC

The Sky Blues captain feared his career could be done after a serious hamstring injury curtailed the season before last. Instead he has come back with his pace apparently undiminished but his game smarts sharper than ever. Quietly effective leader of the dressing room.

27. Alex Wilkinson

AGE: 33

CLUB: Sydney FC

Dubbed Mr Consistency by his fellow professionals, Wilkinson plays a simple game very effectively at the heart of Sydney’s defence. Played through much of last season with an ankle injury but didn’t miss a beat; his positional sense compensates for a lack of pace.

28. Tim Cahill

AGE: 37

CLUB: Melbourne City

Tim Cahill so low - controversial or not? Clearly the age of Australia’s all-time leading goalscorer counts against him in this contest, as too do doubts as to whether he will be a regular starter or impact player this season. But there is no doubting Cahill’s ability to deliver when it matters most for both City and, still, for the Socceroos. He will continue to have a big say in his club’s ambitions for success.

29. Ersan Gulum

AGE: 30

CLUB: Adelaide United

The Australian-born Turkish international is rated by EA Sports FIFA 18 as the A-League’s No. 1 defender and that accolade hasn’t come about by accident. The former Besiktas centre back has featured at some of the planet’s most hostile venues across Europe. He will be up for anything the A-League throws at him. A fierce competitor with very strong leadership qualities.

30. Michael McGlinchey

AGE: 30

CLUB: Wellington Phoenix

McGlinchey will be desperate to bounce back from his frustrating 2016-17 campaign. At his best, the former Celtic midfielder is one of the A-League’s most dangerous players. Knows how to take a free-kick.

31. Roly Bonevacia

AGE: 25

CLUB: Western Sydney Wanderers

Bonevacia’s elegant technique didn’t get the audiences it should have done over in Wellington, and the Wanderers won an early victory in persuading the Dutchman to pass up an offer at Adelaide to move to Sydney. Partnership with Riera will be crucial.

32. Johan Absalonsen

AGE: 32

CLUB: Adelaide United

The Dane is clinical, very direct and has brilliant finishing prowess and a hot left boot. He is expected to make every right back in the country work their socks off. He is destined to be one of the shrewdest A-League new signings.

33. Carl Valeri

AGE: 33

CLUB: Melbourne Victory

Valeri overcame a career-threatening brain condition to return to his best and win the Victory best and fairest. His courage was underlined by the fact that he played injured in the grand final, but he is fit and has more support this season.

34. Thomas Kristensen

AGE: 34

CLUB: Brisbane Roar

The Danish midfielder was a revelation in his first A-League season, adding some much-needed steel to the Roar’s engine room. Has battled a hamstring problem in the pre-season, with his absence having been noticeable. When he’s fully fit, he’s one of the best midfielders in the competition.

35. Michael Jakobsen

AGE: 31

CLUB: Melbourne City

Was described last season by Michael Valkanis as the best defender in the A-League, so there is no doubt that constant soft tissue injuries in the second half of 2016-17 hurt City’s title charge. The central defender is the crucial cog in City’s plans to become far more miserly at the back this season and, after a winter spent fixing his fitness woes, the former Danish international could be about to go to the next level.

36. Mitch Nichols

AGE: 28

CLUB: Perth Glory

He hovers on the edge of being another of Glory’s X-factor alongside Castro. Nichols has all the skills and a super work ethic. If Glory coach Kenny Lowe can highlight that side of his personality, Glory will see the best of this man.

37. Avraam Papadopoulos

AGE: 32

CLUB: Brisbane Roar

The former Greek international is undoubtedly one of the finest defenders to have played A-League football. Papadopoulos has been managed through the pre-season to ensure he’s ready when it matters most. Will have a key role this season in helping Brisbane adapt to a three-man defensive line.

38. Jordy Buijs

AGE: 28

CLUB: Sydney FC

Came in as an injury replacement, having not played for months, and slipped seamlessly into Sydney’s defence. Calm on the ball, keen to pass it and has the ability to switch play; but his primary focus is on the power of his defending alongside Alex Wilkinson.

39. Brandon O’Neill

AGE: 23

CLUB: Sydney FC

His shirt always tucked in, his hair brushed and his tactical orders learnt by heart, O’Neill is the distillation of where industry and application can get you. He’s also got a far cluier passing range than he gets credit for, and takes a mean freekick.

40. Roy O’Donovan

AGE: 32

CLUB: Newcastle Jets

O’Donovan’s two A-League seasons at Central Coast could not have been more contrasting. His first was highlighted by the eight-game ban he copped for headbutting Manny Muscat rather than eight goals he scored. But last season’s 11-goal haul left no one in any doubt as to the Irishman’s talents. Now he has switched to the Mariners’ arch-rival, Newcastle, which will hopefully add some more spice to the F3 Derby.

41. Alan Baro

AGE: 32

CLUB: Central Coast Mariners

A shrewd signing as Baro overcame a dodgy start with Victory to excel last season, headlined by two virtually flawless finals performances. Stiff to be released, but Paul Okon pounced and his aggression will add a key dynamic to the defence.

42. Andrew Durante

AGE: 35

CLUB: Wellington Phoenix

Age shall not weary Durante, who continues to be the heart and soul of the Phoenix’s back four. His leadership and experience cannot be under-estimated. Was recently voted the competition’s all-time best defender by A-League supporters.

43. Stefan Mauk

AGE: 21

CLUB: Melbourne City

Mauk left City in January 2016 having been starved of senior opportunities in his 34-game, four-year first stint there. He arrived in his native South Australia with a bang, helping Adelaide storm to the A-League championship. He also earned a call-up to the Socceroos squad to play England, only to then leave the Reds for Dutch side NEC. Now he is back at City on loan as an older, improved midfielder and one who may dictate how far his side can go.

44. Chris Herd

AGE: 28

C LUB:Western Sydney Wanderers

A player with enough talent to play in the EPL, but enough off-field issues to curtail that involvement, Herd has a vital role to play at the base of the Wanderers midfield. A successful season could open the way to a Socceroos recall.

45. Danny De Silva

AGE: 20

CLUB: Central Coast Mariners

There was no shortage of options for the attacking dynamo, but De Silva has chosen wisely reuniting with his former Young Socceroos boss. Okon will let him grow, and De Silva’s improved fitness levels and aggression should see him make a sudden impact.

46. Matt McKay

AGE: 34

CLUB: Brisbane Roar

The Brisbane Roar captain has a workrate close to being unmatched in the A-League. His fitness and durability will be crucial to Brisbane’s hopes of being successful domestically and in Asia. As enthusiastic and eager as ever, despite his advancing years.

47. Ross McCormack

AGE: 31

CLUB: Melbourne City

McCormack has been signed as Bruno Fornaroli’s injury replacement and he is a proven goalscorer with a dangerous long-range strike. The Scotland international was the Championship’s top scorer in 2013-14 and he has a point to Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce.

48. Luke DeVere

AGE: 27

CLUB: Brisbane Roar

DeVere would have added to his one Socceroos cap earlier this year if not for an unfortunate injury at the back end of last season. Tough as nails at the back and becoming more confident on the ball each season. His on-field leadership has also improved and there’s no doubt he’s a Roar captain in waiting.

49. Tom Hiariej

AGE: 29

CLUB: Central Coast

May get overshadowed by Dutch companion Brama, but their partnership will decide how much the Mariners improve this season. The former FC Groningen and Dutch youth international is a sharp, disciplined midfielder with good vision.

50. Glen Moss

AGE: 34

CLUB: Newcastle Jets

It was a shrewd piece of business by Jets coach Ernie Merrick to bring experienced gloveman Moss to Newcastle. The New Zealand international will earn the Jets a host of points this season. He will be a key factor in Newcastle’s bid for finals football.