Notwithstanding the 2022 Grand Final between Melbourne City and Western United, this will be the first of its kind with formal 'derby' status since F3 rivals Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets met in the culmination of the 2007/08 season.
More than 30,000 fans are expected to pack out Melbourne's AAMI Park, which will almost certainly draw the largest crowd to an A-League Grand Final since 56,000 attended Optus Stadium for Sydney FC's penalty shootout win over Perth Glory in 2019.
Melbourne-born City wing back Aziz Behich, who has now played 135 competitive matches for the club, described this weekend's matchup during the week as the most exciting he could imagine.
"There’s no better way to end the league,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
“Being a Melbourne boy, I know what these games mean. Really excited. There’s no better way to end the season than a Melbourne Derby in a Grand Final.
"At the end of the day, a derby is a derby. There’s always a bit more on the line. I think it will be a great contest, two of the best teams in the league going head to head.”
Behich was on the scoresheet in two of City's last three matches, busting a gut to finish off what was awarded as Flashscore's A-League goal of the week for the second leg of the semi-finals.
Melbourne Victory are out to register their fifth Grand Final victory, which would see them draw level with Sydney FC for the most of any club, whilst City are endeavouring to add to their only championship triumph in 2021.