The Melbourne Victory midfielder hopes the team can provide a small crumb of comfort to Victory fans affected by the fires by booking a grand final spot.

He told au.fourfourtwo.com today: "We started hearing and reading all the reports about the fires after the first game in Adelaide.

"It's been devastating for families and it really puts everything into perspective. Our thoughts are certainly with everyone involved."

As for the football, Victory go into the second leg of their major semi-final with a two-goal advantage.

Many have written off Adelaide United's chances of turning the tie round but Pondeljak knows better than most that 2-0 is not an impossible target in finals football.

He was part of the Central Coast Mariners squad which trailed 2-0 after the first leg of last season's major semi-final. They won 3-0 against Newcastle in the second leg to progress to the grand final, albeit they had the second leg at home. Adelaide have to travel to Telstra Dome of course.

Pondeljak said: "I think we looked at it last year from the point of view that we had nothing to lose and the worst case scenario was another chance in the preliminary final. We thought if we could get an early goal then they (the Jets) might start to panic a little bit, the crowd would get behind us and then who knows? We got the first, then a second and eventually won it.

"So we are taking nothing for granted in our preparation. People can talk about our 2-0 lead but we're not thinking of that.

"If we start thinking a draw is good enough or even a 1-0 defeat, then you can quickly find yourself in trouble. We view it as another match we have to win, that simple. It's a clean slate and it's 0-0.

"No-one here is counting their chickens just yet, I can promise you that."