Melbourne Victory captain Kayla Morrison says the heartbreak of losing the A-League Women championship on penalties hasn't subsided and will drive the club's title push this season.
Jeff Hopkins' revamped team shapes as one of the leading contenders again this season, which kicks off on October 31.
And Morrison insists there won't be any shortage of motivation for a core group of players returning for another shot at glory.
"It's really upsetting to think back to the grand final knowing we were so close and probably favourites to win," Morrison said of the defeat to Central Coast in May.
"It feels like it kind of got ripped out of our hands, so we're going to try to do it in just the 90 minutes this year.
"That's what our focus will be on."
Victory have had plenty of turnover in the off-season with Zoe McMeeken, Rhianna Pollicina, Chelsea Blissett, Sienna Saveska, Kennedy White and Taylor Ray all joining Hopkins' side.
"For the girls who have been there, (the grand final) is something that still drives us, and it's something that's in the back of our head," Morrison said.
"And for the girls who have joined us, you know, maybe some of them haven't even been in this situation before.
"So knowing that they're on a team who does like to get to finals and push for the win, I think that's the hunger for them."
Kiwi full-back McMeeken has had an instant impact on Victory since arriving from Wellington.
"I don't know what went on there but it's crazy that they let her go and how great she's been doing in our pre-season," Morrison said.
American-born defender Morrison pledged her commitment to Victory with a two-year contract extension in March, and is in the process of switching her international allegiance to Australia.
"It's still kind of stuck with FIFA ... so we'll kind of see what happens," the 29-year-old defender said.
"For me, it's just play as good as I can."
