Ernie Merrick’s men earned a 2-2 draw at the Sydney Football Stadium in the final round of last season, a point which left the home side in third place ahead of the finals series.

Steve Corica had given Sydney an early lead but a Mark Milligan own goal moments into the second half hauled Melbourne level. Alex Brosque fired the home side back in front on the hour only for Danny Allsopp to rescue a point 14 minutes from time.

Kosmina is convinced the result had a huge bearing on the outcome of the finals.

He said: “To be honest had we not had Queensland in the finals then I think we would have won it.

“We should have beaten Melbourne in that last game (of the regular season) that ended 2-2. We had enough chances to beat them.

“One of the goals Melbourne scored was dead lucky, straight after the kick off an own goal. Half an inch difference in the angle of the ball and it would have gone over the bar or cleared. Then you’ve got a different ball game.

“Had we won that we would have finished second in the league by one goal. If we’d won it by two goals we’d have won the premiership. That’s how close it was.”

Kosmina accepts he cannot change the past and as he prepares for the big kick-off he also knows there is one challenge that he cannot guarantee success in.

Win, lose or draw, Kosmina knows that there is never likely to be universal approval.

He said: "You are never going to keep everybody happy. The internet has made sure of that. It lets all the lunatics out of the asylum, everybody gets their say now. They all get a bit of space to voice it in as well, they all get a forum.

“Having said that, I think it’s a great innovation and makes life interesting.”

Kosmina is sweating on the fitness of Clint Bolton and Tony Popovic with John Aloisi, Alex Brosque and Brendon Santalab all definitely ruled out.

Teenage striker Chris Payne is almost certain to start with Football Superstar winner Adam Hett in line for a spot on the bench.

Olyroo duo Mark Bridge and Stuart Musialik are both likely to miss out despite being due back in Australia ahead of the game.