The Socceroos' lack of experience in defence can be an advantage – and not a risk – according to former national team great Tony Vidmar.
The green and gold will likely take a green-horn back four on their World Cup journey in Brazil.
Coach Ange Postecoglou will need to replace countless years of experience and almost 200 caps against some of the world's most-feared strike forces.
Filling the breach is likely to be Matthew Spiranovic (25-years-old), Curtis Good (21), Ivan Franjic (26), Jason Davidson (22) and Trent Sainsbury (22).
Between them they have played just 30 games in the Green and Gold, with Spiranovic amassing 17 of those.
It leaves a huge question mark on just how these youngsters will deal with the pressure of a World Cup but Vidmar says the time is right to make the changes.
"This is probably the ideal moment for these players to gain experience," Vidmar told www.footballaustralia.com.au.
"The way I think Ange wants to play it probably doesn't suit the way (the older guys) like to play.
"And I think Ange can work with Spiranovic, with Good and those other players who are younger and get the best out of them to suit us.
"There is always an unknown as many of the guys haven't played many international games compared to other squads where there's been hundreds and hundreds of games amongst the group.
"But now it's the time for these players who haven't had many internationals to step up, play more and get more caps next to their names. I have no doubt they handle it and do the job."
A current coach at the AIS with some of the most promising youngsters in the country, Vidmar likes the look of Australia's new generation, especially at the back.
He believes Spiranovic, Good and Sainsbury have the talent to cement those central-defensive positions for the next five to 10 years.
"Why not? Going to a World Cup is a massive experience and they are going to come back much better and wiser players," Vidmar said.
"They are at that age where they have time on their side.
"If they keep playing well and developing, in a few years time hopefully they are still there, they would have been to a World Cup, an Asian Cup and that's huge."
Vidmar, who made 76 appearances for the Socceroos in a 15-year-international career, played a huge role in qualifying for the 2006 tournament, converting a penalty in the famous shootout win over Uruguay.
Unfortunately due to health problems he was unable to fulfil his boyhood dream of playing at the World Cup in Germany.
While most experts have written off the Socceroos hopes in a tough group with Chile, Netherlands and Spain, Vidmar would never dismiss the Aussie spirit.
"I've seen Chile play and yes they are a good team and on their day they can come close to beating anyone but they can also have a few off ones," he said.
"If Australia is playing at their best we have a good chance. You never say you can't beat them and I definitely give us a chance in that first game.
"And you never know with the Dutch. They can go to a tournament and actually pull themselves apart by their own making.
"They've got good players and a very good team coming through but anything could happen with them. One thing about Aussie sides is we never throw in the towel."
Postecoglou will name his initial 30-man squad next Wednesday, before cutting three players the day after Australia's friendly against South Africa on May 26 in Sydney.