Mariners and Phoenix rewarded for A-League domination with several selections in PFA team of season

Having finished in the top-two on the A-League ladder, Central Coast and Wellington unsurprisingly dominate selection in the PFA team of the season.

Phoenix goalkeeper Alex Paulsen shows the form that led to his selection as captain of the PFA team of the season. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix players dominate selection in the PFA A-League team of the season, earning seven of the 11 starting spots.

Leading the Phoenix contingent is goalkeeper Alex Paulsen, who has also been named captain of the 18-man squad after receiving more votes from his peers than any other player in the squad.

“It’s very humbling to receive the most votes from my peers and be named the captain,” said Paulsen, 21, who kept 11 clean sheets in 27 regular season appearances and registered a league-high save percentage of 80.9.

“There’s obviously a lot of incredible talent within the league, so this is a great honour not only for myself but for my goalkeeping union here at the Phoenix.

“I wouldn’t be in this position without the support from Jack Duncan and Ruben Parker, who’ve made me the best I can be.”

Alex Paulsen has been rewarded for his fine season with Wellington. Picture: Mark Tantrum/Getty Images

Joining Paulsen in the starting team are his club teammates Tim Payne, Scott Wootton and Alex Rufer, while Wellington attacker Kosta Barbarouses is on a seven-strong bench.

The premiership-winning Mariners’ three players in the starting side are defenders Jacob Farrell and Brian Kaltak and midfielder Josh Nisbet, with Central Coast keeper Danny Vukovic among the substitutes.

The remaining four places in the starting 11 are occupied by Melbourne City playmaker Tolgay Arslan, Sydney FC winger Joe Lolley, Melbourne Victory striker Bruno Fornaroli and the competition’s Golden Boot, Perth Glory star Adam Taggart.

Wellington mentor Giancarlo Italiano, who guided the Phoenix to second place on the ladder in his first season in charge, was voted coach of the season.

PFA A-League team of the season: (4-3-3) Alex Paulsen (Wellington Phoenix); Tim Payne (Wellington Phoenix), Scott Wootton (Wellington Phoenix), Brian Kaltak (Central Coast Mariners), Jacob Farrell (Central Coast Mariners); Alex Rufer (Wellington Phoenix), Josh Nisbet (Central Coast Mariners), Tolgay Arslan (Melbourne City); Joe Lolley (Sydney FC), Adam Taggart (Perth Glory), Bruno Fornaroli (Melbourne Victory). Substitutes: Jake Girdwood-Reich (Sydney FC), Damien Da Silva (Melbourne Victory), Marcelo (Western Sydney Wanderers), Anthony Caceres (Sydney FC), Kosta Barbarouses (Wellington Phoenix), Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (Newcastle Jets), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners). Coach: Giancarlo Italiano (Wellington Phoenix).