“I do still think they're good enough,” Adelaide United's Socceroo Paul Agostino told au.fourfourtwo.com.

The former 1860 Munich striker scored twice against Victory at the Dome last weekend but saw his Reds cough up a two goal lead to allow a gutsy Melbourne back in for a 2-2 draw with just minutes left.

The result kept Victory in sixth place, five points adrift from the top four.

“It wasn't through a lack of trying against us," he said. "Victory threw everything they had at us, but...there is something missing in their puzzle.

"They probably need a good win and I'm sure if they get one this weekend against the Jets, it'll be different for them.

“And Musky [Kevin Muscat] is a very experienced campaigner,” adds Agostino, who was captained by Muscat 14 years ago in the Young Socceroos.

With a maximum of 15 points left to win, the highest points tally Victory could attain is 32.

Last season, 29 points was enough to grant Sydney a seat at the end of season party, so there is room to drop a point here and there and still squeeze in. Just.

“Melbourne are struggling but you can never write them off,” said Mariner and Socceroo legend, Tony Vidmar.

“You can't take them lightly. They've got too many good players and too many players who can turn it on.

"They haven't done it consistently but that 2-2 draw against Adelaide could be a turning point for them.”

While there is no doubt that playmaker Fred's loss was a hammerblow to Ernie Merrick, many are now saying young Kaz Patafta could provide the missing spark, quality and enthusiasm to lead a revival.

Socceroo hero John Aloisi told au.fourfourtwo.com he feels there is too much quality in the Blues' camp for them not be taken seriously.

“I think it'll go down to the wire," he said. "You can't write off Melbourne – people say they needed to win last week but they might go on a winning streak and they're in.

"So it's not over until they mathematically can't get there. I think 30 points will get you into the finals.”

A loss against the Jets however would mean making the playoffs would largely be out of Victory's hands.

And added to that is a very tough away game in Gosford on New Year's Eve, and away fixtures to Sydney and Queensland in January.

That means that this weekend's match against Newcastle really is do-or-die for the champions.