The 30-year-old City captain missed almost six months due to an ankle injury sustained in the 3-2 FFA Cup win over Hakoah Sydney City in August.

Joyce admitted over the Christmas period he doubted if Fornaroli could get back to his best, but the Uruguayan has returned to good effect.

Fornaroli returned in February, before scoring five goals in six games, as well as the assist for City's opener in Friday night's 2-0 elimination final win over Brisbane Roar.

“Bruno has put in a hell of a lot of work," Joyce said.

"I spent hours in the pool with him myself and different hours in the gym. He put the hours in.

"At Christmas I still didn't think he was anywhere near ready and you've made a decision to try and get him fit by playing games and giving him opportunities to get to nights like tonight.

"Marcin [Budsinzki] is a bit unlucky to be left out as you're giving Bruno a chance to get himself fit.

"It was a gamble at the time."

Joyce was pleased with City's display against Roar and admitted he was still haunted by their FFA Cup exit in September when they performed poorly in a 2-0 loss to Sydney FC.

"We looked like a men's team - even the boy's out there looked like men," he said.

"I think that's what you've got to progress to. I said at the start of the season against Sydney in the FFA Cup that they looked like men and we looked like boys.

"As the season has gone on we've looked more like a men's team and we made some good decisions tonight with and without the ball."

City will play Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium in week two of the finals on Friday night.