Whatever happens in the final round of the regular A-League season, Roar are guaranteed a spot in the finals series.

If they beat Perth Glory and both Adelaide and Melbourne were to slip up, then Roar could yet sneak top spot.

It was a different story a year ago as Roar went into the final round of matches. All they needed was three points in Adelaide and the Premiership would have been theirs - guaranteed.

It the final game of that weekend, Roar blew their chance and crashed to defeat at Hindmarsh Stadium - leaving them in fourth spot and without the Asian Champions League spot that went to the top team.

To add their pain they were eliminated in the preliminary final by eventual champions Newcastle Jets.

Murdocca told au.fourfourtwo.com today: "I think this year is different, it's a more positive pressure in the sense that there's nothing there for us to lose.

"We have to go out there, try and pick up three points against Perth and then hope other things go our way. It would be great to finish in the (top) two or even sneak first but that's out of our hands.

"The first objective at the start of the season was to make sure we were in the four and we've done that.

"This time last year we went to Adelaide knowing that we had to win to finish top.

"Adelaide had nothing to play for and I think that can be extremely dangerous (for the other team).

"They played us off the park for periods of that match and we ended up really disappointed.

"It was so close but we couldn't take the opportunity. That hurt me and I'm sure it hurt a lot of the other players as well.

"But we've moved on and I think we have learnt from that experience last year."

Murdocca isn't expecting Perth to simply roll over and let his team collect the points though.

He said: "They'll come here and want to end their season on a high. We have to make sure we start well and work extremely hard.

"We're at home and on a good run at home as well. We're looking forward to it."