The last time Brisbane faced Melbourne Victory they found their feet again with a drought-breaking A-League win.
In their next meeting at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, the Roar will hope to find their championship swagger.
Back-to-back away wins by Brisbane over top sides Central Coast and Wellington might seem impressive.
But Roar coach Ange Postecoglou believes notching win No.3 against bogey team the Victory will help provide finals momentum as they chase consecutive titles.
“For us, it is about getting some consistency leading into the finals,” he said on Friday.
“You need to be playing well before the finals series to have a shot at winning it.
“There’s still six weeks to go. People want to call it pretty early but I am telling you it will go down to the last week.
“The last two weeks have given us a buffer but it can change very quickly – the key thing for us is to continue our form.”
The Roar snapped a worrying five-game losing run with a 3-1 New Year’s Eve win the last time they met the Victory.
A winning drought wasn’t the only thing that result ended.
Victory coach Mehmet Durakovic was shown the door barely a week later.
But Postecoglou has always been wary of the star-studded Victory – especially after the Melbourne outfit were the only team to defeat the Roar last season.
And he was on high alert after the eighth-placed Victory brought up their first win in six matches under caretaker coach Jim Magilton with last Friday night’s 2-1 result over Central Coast to keep their finals hopes alive.
“It’s that time of the year when every game is a bit exciting,” Postecoglou said.
“There’s a bit of an edge to it and, hopefully, that brings out the best of us.
“It has in us the last couple of weeks and the Victory is no different.
“There’s always a bit of drama involved.
“On their day, they can knock off just about anyone but they haven’t been consistent in their results.”
Statistics back the Roar coach – the Victory have not been able to string back-to-back wins all season.
But they will be confident of notching their first win at Suncorp Stadium since 2009 after Archie Thompson looked set to overcome a hamstring twinge and take his place in what Roar captain Matt Smith described as “the best forward line in the game”.
If Thompson does not start, as a precaution, ex-Roar dangerman Jean Carlos Solorzano might start, adding extra spice.
The Roar moved to second on the ladder just five points behind leaders Central Coast with the 2-0 win at Wellington.
But another win will do more than just chip away at the Mariners’ lead.
Postecoglou hoped Brisbane would provide a fitting tribute to veteran Massimo Murdocca in his 132nd game – a new club record.