The 2010 AFC Asian Player of the Year and AFC Champions League winner who turned 35 in April remains a potent force for the high-riding Sky Blues heading into Friday night’s clash against former club Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium.

But he gave a strong hint he may be nearing the end of the road when he revealed: “Physically I am pulling up alright after games but it's more about getting my head around the prospect of another pre-season.

"They are excruciatingly long here - that’s the biggest issue for me. Playing the games is fine but the build-up to the start of the season is a grind and that will be the major factor in whether I play on or not.

"I understand that the older players get looked after a bit more than the younger ones. They (the FFA) need to find a way to lengthen the league or do something … sometimes your mind is shot before the season even starts."

Contracted to the end of this season, Ognenovski - who signed for Sydney from Qatar’s Umm Salal last February - added: "I still thrive on the competition of match days but the training side of it and the pre-season, not so much.

"I just want to make the most of every game now. I have enjoyed this year so far. I had some fun against the Wanderers (a 3-2 derby win for Sydney in round two) and we had a nice 2-0 win in Brisbane against opposition who are known for their fight and character.

"Hopefully we continue to play the way we are … if it is my last season that would be a good way to go out."

The partnership at the back between Ognenovski and Serbian Nikola Petkovic has been a contributing factor to the club’s equal best start to any A-League season, with the Sky Blues sitting second behind Melbourne Victory on goal difference.

The former Socceroos stopper is not reading too much into the Reds' 3-1 extra-time FFA Cup over Sydney at Allianz Stadium, a game which swung on a controversial red card to Petkovic.

"We also didn't have a full squad for that one and the sending-off of Nikola (for which referee Ben Williams was subsequently stood down for a week) didn't help.

"Hopefully, on this occasion the officials are at the top of their game and don't make any mistakes. Obviously there is often human error involved but hopefully there is none of that on Friday."

Ognenovski missed that FFA Cup tie after copping a one-game ban for what he describes as "a little tap" on Western Sydney's Vitor Saba in a fiery derby, a decision that bewildered him.

"If they (the Match Review Panel) are going rub out players for stuff like that then whatever," he said.

"It didn't bother me ... I did what I had to do to win the game and if that was a suspendable offence then I'll live with it. I know now not to tap anybody on the head any more.

"It was in my view a stupid ban. Maybe they were trying to prove a point, I don't know.

"There was a tackle on me the ref missed … I had stud marks all the way down my shin and if they are going to review a tap on the head then they should also review stuff like that.

"But I would rather they not review anything unless it's really nasty and just let the game be played as it has been for over 150 years.

"The mail we were getting was that the decision to red card Nikola was wrong but they didn't overturn it. Then I get rubbed out for something pretty soft. If it's going to be that way it's not really a democracy per se."

Ognenovski, who has scored two of Sydney's eight goals, believes the competition is shaping as a three-horse race between Sydney, Victory and Adelaide - who all sit on 10 points - with the Wanderers likely to make a charge now their AFC Champions League adventure has ended in glory.

"It looks that way," he said. "But you can't discount the Wanderers who have the ACL out of the way now and have some players coming backinto their squad. I am expecting them to start climbing the table.

"Other than that it looks like Melbourne, Adelaide and ourselves. We'll see if we can put a bit of daylight between ourselves and these two, starting on Friday against Adelaide and then the following Saturday when Victory come to Allianz Stadium.

"It’s always good to get the upperhand against teams around you on the ladder ... it would be confirmation for us that we are building something really great at this club."

The recently retired Socceroos defender said he was a little surprised by the Reds’ flying start, adding: "They have tweaked their system and play a more direct game than last year and it seems to be working for them. They have some quality and wouldn't be where they are if they didn’t.

"I enjoyed my time there (in reaching the ACL final in 2008) and I always relish going back. I have a mutual respect with their fans - and hopefully they won't boo me too much!

"They put three past us last year, hopefully we're a bit more disciplined on this occasion."