Auckland FC trio Francis de Vries, Jesse Randall and Sam Cosgrove have been named in the Professional Footballers Australia Men’s A-League Team of the Season.
The club are one of only four sides represented in the starting line-up, announced on May 20 ahead of Saturday’s grand final in which Auckland FC play Sydney at Go Media Stadium.
All Whites teammates, defender de Vries and forward Randall, were recogised by their peers after standout campaigns in Auckland’s second A-League season, while English import striker Cosgrove earned selection after sharing the Golden Boot award.
Main photo: Jesse Randall (centre) and Francis de Vries (right) … picked for the PFA Team of the Season.
Another New Zealand international, midfielder Lachlan Bayliss from the Newcastle Jets, was selected as a substitute.
The squad was voted for by fellow professional players through the PFA and includes 18 players plus a coach.
Auckland’s selections formed part of a strong New Zealand influence across the competition this season.
Randall scored consistently during the regular season and established himself as one of the club’s most dangerous attacking threats, while de Vries became a key figure in defence and set-piece delivery.
Cosgrove’s goals helped drive Auckland to the grand final in the club’s inaugural campaign.
Sydney goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares was named captain of the side after receiving the most votes from fellow professionals.
“Just being part of the professional football community in Australia means the world to me, so to be named captain of the Team of the Season feels very humbling and honestly quite surreal,” Devenish-Meares said.
“To be recognised by my peers in this way is something I’m incredibly grateful for.”
Newcastle coach Mark Milligan was voted coach of the season after guiding the Jets to two trophies in his first year in charge.
PFA Team of the Season
Goalkeeper
Harrison Devenish-Meares (Sydney).
Defenders
Nathaniel Atkinson (Melbourne City), Panagiotis Kikianis (Adelaide United), Mark Natta (Newcastle Jets), Francis de Vries (Auckland FC).
Midfielders
Ethan Alagich (Adelaide United), Max Burgess (Newcastle Jets), Juan Mata (Melbourne Victory).
Forwards
Clayton Taylor (Newcastle Jets), Sam Cosgrove (Auckland FC), Jesse Randall (Auckland FC).
Substitutes
James Delianov (Newcastle Jets), Daniel Wilmering (Newcastle Jets), Aziz Behich (Melbourne City), Lachlan Bayliss (Newcastle Jets), Paul Okon-Engstler (Sydney), Eli Adams (Newcastle Jets), Marcus Younis (Melbourne City).
Head coach
Mark Milligan (Newcastle Jets)
Fixture
Game to be played on Saturday May 23, 2026
Grand final
Auckland FC v Sydney
Go Media Stadium, Auckland, 8.10pm (NZT)
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This story was first published on May 20, 2026.