Chris Ikonomidis wants to make a habit of silencing crowds.
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The 17-cap Socceroos winger has endured a rough run with form and injury in recent years.
But after popping up to score a dramatic winner against Wellington to steer Melbourne Victory into the A-League Men grand final, Ikonomidis, 29, believes he can make an impact when it counts.
"It was really special. Scoring such an important goal for the club and for my team was an unreal feeling," Ikonomidis told AAP.
"It was an odd feeling because it was an away game, so there was 35,000 Nix supporters.
"So when I scored, it just went dead silent. It was the opposite to AAMI Park where when you score, you just hear a roar, but it was really, really special."
It has been a difficult season for Ikonomidis, who joined Victory on a mega-deal in 2021.
He has largely been used as a substitute, has been left out of squads and was even linked to a failed transfer to Adelaide United in January.
"Football's funny like that," he said.
"But I'm enjoying the last few weeks here training with my teammates and preparing for this massive game.
"I'm not really thinking about anything other than just arriving on Saturday in the best shape with everyone in the best mentality and just trying to win that trophy
"I've just been keeping on working hard and and working through everything and I know that once it starts to click for me that it will flow naturally as well.
"Everything else should just fall into place if I can stay fit."
After taking his chance against Wellington, Ikonomidis is ready to give everything on Saturday.
"Just always working hard and trying to take the chances when they come. Whatever it takes just to get the job done," he said.
"And when I'm on, just try and find the back of the net, and help the other guys find the back of the net."
Ikonomidis and Jake Brimmer both played in a grand final defeat with Perth Glory, also under Tony Popovic, in 2019.
"You really just have to make the most of it and you have to enjoy it as well," he said.
"We let it go to penalties in Perth and it's anyone's game when it's on penalties.
"So hopefully this one can be the one that we can win and I can win my first A-League championship and bring the trophy back to Melbourne."
Australian Associated Press
