To see Phoenix fans in Sydney...

For the first time in five seasons, the A-League gets a Big Blue grand final with a crowd tipped to exceed 50,000 fans.

However, the turf at Etihad during the week's Asian Champions League game between Melbourne and Seongnam was described by Victory striker Archie Thompson as "a cow paddock".

An AFL NAB Cup final was also being played there this weekend. However, expect a pristine surface for the showpiece A-League event with new turf being laid in the next couple of days.

Although how long it needs to bed in might be an issue.

On the terraces the FFA has opted for the rectangular configuration used in last year's Asian Cup clash against Oman. It may reduce the capacity to around 51,000 but it's expected to ramp up what is already set to be an intense grand final atmosphere.

One player excited at the prospect is first time A-League grand final player Alex Brosque.

The FC striker said after Sydney's 4-2 victory over Phoenix in the preliminary final on Saturday night that previous success against Melbourne this season will help them.   

Quizzed on how to beat the reigning champions, Brosque said:  "I guess do what we did when we beat them 3-0 [earlier in the season]... everything just fell into place for us that night.

"We went at them, left nothing in and just really tried to put them on the backfoot. We tried to do to them what they do to teams often.

"It's worked, we've only lost once in five games against them so we're confident we can go down there and win."

Meanwhile John Aloisi's season may be over after he left the pitch early on Saturday night with a hamstring complaint against Phoenix. He's now very much in doubt for Saturday's finale.

Coach Vitezslav Lavicka admitted later: "It's trouble. We all hope Johnny will be ready for the grand final." He said the he preferred to use players that are 100% ready.

"We'd still prefer Johnny to be there," added Brosque. "Having Johnny on the park adds extra options for us.

"They [Victory] like to man mark at the back so if Bridgey's there, Johnny's there and myself, it's harder for them to pick us up."

To see Phoenix fans in Sydney...