RAGS-to-riches Green Gully is heading to Swan Street to complete its Victorian Premier League resurrection.
The Cavaliers were the first team to advance to the grand final to be played at the new AAMI Park on Saturday week.
The Cavs had to show some intestinal fortitude to come from behind and beat minor premiers Richmond Eagles 2-1 in the second semi-final at Kevin Bartlett Reserve on Friday night.
Cavs technical director Ian Dobson has played a massive part in the club's resurgence.
'Dobbo' is no stranger to succeeding at the pointy end of the season.
A six-time title-winning coach in the VPL - four with Green Gully and two with the Altona Magic - and championship winning coach of Melbourne Knights in the National Soccer League, he knows a thing or two about what it takes to win in the post-season. Even to Dobson's lofty standards, a win in this season's decider would be a remarkable achievement, considering where the Cavs have come from halfway through the campaign.
"It's been a big turnaround," he said.
"I went back to the club in round 10 when it was languishing in relegation worries.
"We've done a lot of organisational work within the squad, changed some players around into different positions and got them to understand their roles and they've grown into them as the results have come."
Dobson was thrilled the hard work of president Charlie Farrugia and general manager Raymond Mamo off the field was being rewarded.
He desperately wants to see old stagers such as Jeff Fleming, Andy Vargas and Dean Fak share in the ultimate success again.
"It's a joy for everybody associated with the club," he said.
The Cavs, led by central defender Mile Medjedovic, took their sweet time getting into the groove of the semi-final.
The scoreless scoreboard at half-time reflected the lack of cutting edge on either side.
The fireworks finally went off in the second half as the Eagles struck through former Melbourne Victory and Wellington Phoenix attacking midfielder Michael Ferrante on the hour mark.
That goal sparked a frenzy of three goals in 14 minutes. The Cavs equalised through Steve Burton in the 64th minute before striker Jason Hayne pounced to score the winner after a goalmouth scramble on 74 minutes.
The Cavs' fairytale run to the 'big dance' is all the more remarkable when you consider the threadbare squad Dobson and coach Paul Harris have to choose from.
In recent times, Jonathon Munoz (injury), Josh Groenewald (A-League contract), Tim Gould (returned to England) and Gary Wales (returned to Scotland) have been ruled out of the finals action.
This has prompted Dobson to rethink his strategy leading up to the grand final.
He will organise an intra-club game on Saturday, not a friendly as he has done in the past.
"I've got to be a bit cautious," he said.
"We can't afford to have any injuries."
■The VPL Gold Medal night will take place in the Victory Room at Etihad Stadium on Monday night.
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