To see the launch...

At the A-League finals launch in Sydney, he told au.fourfourtwo.com: "I think we have to accept the culture that we're in, and we're currently in a finals-dominated culture, whatever the code.

"I'm okay with that and I thoroughly enjoy finals football but in my humble opinion the team that wins the league over however many games it is, are the champions.

"For me, the first past the post is the true reflection (of a season). Maybe it's going to take us as a footballing code to educate slightly the footballer follower into that light."

The reality is the finals format though and Muscat cannot wait for the action to begin. He said: "You come to the finals and the mental side of things certainly does play a part. The teams are all relatively well matched. Any of the four teams can go through and win it.

"Our preparation has been first class and we'll go into the games with confidence."

Adelaide United are the first hurdle and Muscat hopes the fact the Reds will be aware they've failed to beat them this year and then there's the more distant woe of the 6-0 grand final thrashing.

Muscat said: "There's a number of players still there and I'm not too sure if that (grand final) scarring has healed.

"But as I said, we can only focus on our preparations. I've always said it and I'll say it again, when Melbourne Victory is anywhere near 100 per cent we're a match for anyone in the competition.

"That's not over confidence or arrogance, it's a plain fact."

To see the launch...