The Mariners captain and one of the cornerstone figures of the clubs success from day one. Veteran youth international and fringe Qantas Socceroo Wilkinson has been one of the Hyundai A-League’s most disciplined and reliable defenders since the competitions inception. No Mariners player has appeared in more competitive fixtures than Wilkinson and, indeed, none have come close to matching Wilkinson’s record of 111 starting appearances for the Yellow and Navy as of the start of season six. Wilkinson is also capped more times for Australia at restricted age levels than any other Mariners player and was recognised as belonging to the highest echelon of defenders playing at home when called up to Qantas Socceroo coach Pim Verbeek’s first national team training squad in February 2008. Having appeared in the first Hyundai A-League Grand Final in 2006, Wilkinson had the honour of leading the Mariners out for 2008 showpiece at the Sydney Football Stadium, and then into the Mariners inaugural Asian Champions League campaign.