Melbourne and Sydney may have just played out the greatest Grand Final in the A-League's short history, but Australian football shouldn't expect this to be the first instalment of a period of domination for the A-League's two biggest clubs.
Great rivalries are built on great games and there is no doubt the tight, physical and tense nature of Saturday's match will help build this fixture into an even greater attraction over the coming years.
But the ability of both Grand Final participants to back up their performances next season is in major doubt with both Vitezslav Lavicka and Ernie Merrick facing a difficult task of building for next season.
Lavicka is faced with the likelihood of losing close to half his first choice side and while he has made a huge impression in his first year in charge, the second year is likely to be even more difficult. Inspirational skipper Steve Corica has retired, while John Aloisi, Karol Kisel, Simon Colosimo and Clint Bolton are among those expected to leave the club.
Ironically, it will be a Melbourne team which will deal the biggest blow to Sydney's hopes of going back-to-back, but it is not the Victory but rather new franchise the Heart which is expected to pick up Colosimo, Aloisi and Bolton.
While Lavicka's guidance has played a major role in a more consistent Sydney, he faces a massive task to try and fill the gap left by those who are departing. Recruiting will be key as will getting further improvement and leadership qualities from those who took giant steps this year, including Alex Brosque, Mark Bridge, Stuart Musialik and Shannon Cole.
Merrick's major concern is borne from the legacy of the team's first-ever Grand Final loss. The serious knee injury suffered by Archie Thompson in the early stages of the match not only curtailed the home side's hopes of winning this year's title but next year's as well. If the medical diagnosis is right then Thompson will not return until at least midway through the next campaign.
Thompson's success with Melbourne is unparalleled and while the club has recruited well in terms of attacking players, Archie is simply irreplaceable.
The other question that remains is whether captain Kevin Muscat can push his professional career into his 38th year. While Muscat has been a highly-influential figure again this year, it is clear his body is taking longer and longer to recover from the intensity of top-flight football and another serious soft tissue injury, such as the one suffered earlier this season, could be the straw that breaks the camel's back.
Muscat's experience, nous and exquisite passing are a massive asset, but he is unable physically to do the things he once did and lacks pace. With veteran Grant Brebner in front of him and another experienced hand in Rody Vargas alongside, Melbourne risks becoming too slow at the back.
Billy Celeski was sorely missed this season but it remains to be seen whether he will return from his knee reconstruction in the same form as he found in 2008/09. Matthew Kemp had his best season this campaign but his injury is also likely to delay his participation in the new season until at least October.
The club blooded several promising young talents this season, including Mate Dugandzic, Matthew Foschini and Aziz Behich, but those players will have to take a