Brebner (right) and Thompson were in excellent form

Melbourne Victory's 6-0 thrashing of Adelaide United came a season after there were calls for Scottish coach Ernie Merrick to be sacked.

And former Dundee United and Hibernian midfielder Grant Brebner survived a late fitness test to take part.

Brebner had been axed by new United manager Craig Brewster last summer.

But the 29-year-old had a successful trial, signed for Melbourne and helped his new club dominate the A-League this season.

He picked up a thigh strain in the lead-up to the final at Telstra Dome and his participation was in doubt right up until kick-off.

"I made a decision when I came in after the fitness test that I would give it a go," said Brebner.

I don't think it can get much better than this Melbourne Victory coach Ernie Merrick

"It could have been five minutes, but it was 60 minutes and, thankfully, it paid off."

Indeed, a tackle on Brebner before his own substitution saw Adelaide reduced to 10 men with the sending off of captain Ross Aloisi.

However, by then, Melbourne were already on their way to victory, Thompson having bagged three goals before the break.

"It was absolutely fantastic from the first minute to the last," enthused Brebner.

"We've done so well this season and it was important that we gave our supporters a result that they deserved."

Merrick, originally a school teacher who arrived in Australia in the mid-1970s, suffered a poor first season in charge of Melbourne, finishing seventh of the A-League's eight teams.

But they topped the league this season, finishing 12 points ahead of Adelaide and thrashing their rivals in the play-off final.

Merrick and Muscat were delighted with their trophy haul

And the delighted coach said: "I don't think it can get much better than this.

"It was a night for great football and great goals.

"The boys had threatened to perform like that all year and they picked the right night to do it.

"It was just fantastic to have a crowd of 55,000, 99% of whom are Melbourne Victory supporters, so it was just a great night all round.

"I had a tough year last yaer, but I always felt that we were on the right track.

"And this was one of those days when it all just clicked."

Captain Kevin Muscat, the former Millwall defender who himself had a disappointing time at Rangers before heading back to his homeland, was full of praise for international colleague Thompson.

"I think he had eight touches and scored five goals," he joked.