"The fact that everyone expects Melbourne to win and I guess there are even some Adelaide supporters who probably don't think they can win," he told au.fourfourtwo.com of the mood in Adelaide. "It's just set up for an upset. It's just got that feel about it.

"I think there is a feeling of quiet confidence. I guess there's a steely resolve in the playing group to wipe some of the memories of two years ago and to get that first premiership for the club.

"But there's still a lot of work to be done."

Alagich says with expectations dialed down compared to two years ago - evidenced by a low key media build up in Adelaide and a significantly smaller travelling support - it's taken the pressure off the players.

As part of Adelaide's 2007 Grand Final team, Alagich says pressure in games like grand finals can do things to players, particularly if the sellout crowd becomes restless if the Reds keep them goalless until halftime.

"It's imperative to hold them to no goals," he said. "If they've got any chance of winning, they need to frustrate Melbourne and stop them creating chances.

"And then the crowd gets on Melbourne's back because they expect to win and win comfortably.

"The longer the game goes and they hold them out, it'll frustrate the players and supporters. I fancy Adelaide the longer the game goes."

Alagich, who retired from the Reds mid-last year, added that if Melbourne does score early, then it will be lights out for Aurelio Vidmar's side.

"I believe Adelaide is not the sort of team that can go out and chase a result," he said.

However, he believes there is one key advantage in having Jonas Salley mark Victory dangerman, Costa Rican whiz Carlos Hernandez.

Salley returned to the side last week after last playing in October. His lack of match hardness could be seen as a weakness but Alagich says that might be nullified by the type of threat that Hernandez poses.

He added: "The one positive is that, assuming Jonas is taking close attention of Carlos, Carlos's workrate isn;t one of his strengths.

"What he's good at is getting in good positions and excellent timing of his runs. He can hurt anyone.

"But Jonas isn't going to have to run for 90 minutes to keep up with him [Carlos]. It's a different scenario. And that plays into into Jonas's favour in terms of lasting out the game, particularly if it goes into extra time.

"For Adelaide to be successful, they need to shutdown Melbourne's midfield," he said. "There's a lot said about Archie and Danny, but in the last two [Adelaide finals) games, Melbourne's midfield was given the freedom to run at the Reds defence."

And Alagich makes a bold grand final prediction: "I told Ago [Adelaide striker Paul Agostino] he'll pop up late in the game to score the winner!"

*The Grand Final will also feature pre-match entertainment from ARIA-awarding winning dance duo The Presets.

* Click here to bid on an auction for a unique piece of Grand Final memorabilia - an official FFA/A-League Grand Final fussball table, signed by the stars of Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory. Proceeds will go the Bushfire Appeal.