Having decided to play on, the Victory captain is excited about the season ahead, as excited as he's ever felt.

''As soon as that goes, as soon as you lose your passion to get out there and compete, then you may as well not be playing," he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

" I have certainly got that, and it's nothing to do with losing the grand final or missing a penalty. I just love the game and I am still competitive and looking forward to Saturday night.

''The pre-season has been outstanding. I have really enjoyed it, but it's just good that the games have come round and the competition is starting.''

Melbourne will travel to Sydney with a shortage of strikers however, Robbie Kruse missing out through injury.