"I think the mood is similar this year," Broxham said. "A big part of successful teams is that you can rely on the whole squad, and you only have to look at last weekend. We had a couple of young boys [George Howard and Thomas Deng] on the bench and one [Howard] came on and made his debut.

"They are good boys, and all the other ones who don't play, their attitude is great, too. They push the players who are playing. Those players having good character and keeping good morale around the team is important.

"It was the same in the championship teams. Those who weren't playing kept everyone on their toes. You obviously have to have the talent there and the right structures too, which we have. But the attitude of everyone is important, and it is spot-on at the moment."

Broxham's longevity in the domestic game - although he is only 27 he has been an active professional since the A-League's second season - gives him plenty of perspective on the competition and the playing standards.

The midfield utility admits he has never known a season like this one, with five teams — Victory, Sydney, Wellington, Perth and Adelaide — all scrapping for the championship so close to the end of the regular season.