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Newcastle coach Ernie Merrick has hailed Nikolai Topor-Stanley as one the best leaders he's worked with ahead of the stalwart's 300th A-League match.

As Nikolai Topor-Stanley prepares to become the third member of the A-League's 300 club, his development from teen prodigy to a leader of men has been hailed by Newcastle coach Ernie Merrick.

Topor-Stanley will join Andrew Durante (322) and Leigh Broxham (301) as the only players to play 300 or more A-League matches when he lines up for the Jets against Melbourne City on Sunday.

Merrick had the 34-year-old on trial at Melbourne Victory as a teenager and admits he wasn't quite the same model professional then as he is now.

"Always had the talent and speed and technical ability and knowledge of the game but he was a bit of a Jack the lad, I believe, when he was first here," Merrick said.

"That changed, he tells me, when he was at Wanderers and he's certainly gone to a different level as a leader."

The Canberra product has played at Sydney FC, Western Sydney, Perth and had two separate spells at the Jets during his career as well as a brief stint at Hatta Club in the UAE.

Topor-Stanley was part of the Wanderers' Asian Champions League-winning squad in 2014 and also helped Tony Popovic's team to the 2012-13 A-League premiership.

He has also made four Socceroos appearances and was a part of the Olyroos' 2008 campaign at the Beijing Olympic Games.

Since rejoining the Jets in 2017, Merrick says he couldn't have asked for a more committed player and mentor within his squad.

"He plays an outstanding game every week, he settles in with whoever's alongside him," Merrick said.

"He plays every minute of every game and doesn't want to miss anything.

"He's certainly one of the best leaders I've worked with."

MOST APPEARANCES BY A PLAYER IN THE A-LEAGUE

322 - Andrew Durante

301 - Leigh Broxham

299 - Nikolai Topor-Stanley

288 - Eugene Galekovic

287 - Liam Reddy.