To see Victory and Sydney train today...

The Archie Factor has dominated the talk in the lead up to Saturday's season finale at Etihad  - particularly after the Socceroo came off the bench in the major semi final second leg and changed the game in Victory's favour.

Thompson's big-game experience and pace has proved itself time and time again in the five seasons of the A-League.

And for Saturday, it's no different. However, a new Victory hero could emerge out of the shadow cast by the letheal striker, says teammate Evan Berger.

"Robbie's had a really good season since he joined us from Roar. You saw his quality the other week with that goal against Sydney," Berger told au.fourfourtwo.com. today.

"If Sydney focus too much on Archie that gives Robbie more room and everyone knows what a talent he is.

"But in saying that we've got match winners all over the park in Carlos [Hernandez] and Archie and Nicky Ward, they'll not have to focus on just one player.

"That's a good thing for Melbourne that we've got so many attacking options. But I think on the weekend, Robbie will show what he is made of."

Berger's point is a valid one. Thompson's record - particularly against Sydney - is very good. And his record haul of five goals in the 2007 grand final still haunts Adelaide United. It's the perfect scenario for Kruse to profit from.

Sydney's defensive discipline, one of the hallmarks of Vitezslav Lavicka's short but highly successful era, will need to be spot on if they are to shut out Kruse and Co.  

One coach who believes Sydney can hold back a rampaging Victory is former NSL manager Lee Sterrey. The current Marconi boss is tipping Sydney but like Berger senses the occasion is ripe for Robbie Kruse, 21, to etch his name in Victory history.

"Frankly I think Robbie Kruse is more of a danger than Archie," Sterrey a former Newcastle Breakers boss in the NSL, told au.fourfourtwo.com.

"He's come back [from injury lay-off] a little bit earlier than Archie. Archie can get in behind, but for overall fitness and condition, I think Robbie's in much better shape than what Archie is.

"I'd be very surprised if Archie has a totally outstanding game for the full 90 minutes. It'd be a credit if he does but I don't see how he could play a full game.

"Archie has had a long lay-off and there's nothing like match practise. The match will turn on things like how Sydney handle the likes of Kruse."

But Sterrey is tipping the sky blues' defensive discipline to lay the platform for an historic win on enemy territory.

"Most people are tipping Melbourne at home with the crowd behind them. But sometimes it spurs the opposition on to greater heights," he told au.fourfourtwo.com.

"I've got an inkling about Sydney... They've already got the Premiership in their pocket so they've got everything to gain and nothing to lose by attacking.

"Defensively they've been strong all year - except for that one moment when Archie scored."

As for Kruse, the Brisbane-born strike sent out an ominous warning yesterday: "This week in training I felt the best I've felt in a long time, about a month or so.

"I really feel like I can do my part for the team and put on a good show and do myself and my family and the fans proud.

"I really think if me and Archie are paired together, we can cause some damage."

To see Victory and Sydney train today...