The Wanderers' left-back was a part of all three of Adelaide United's losing finals between 2007 and 2009 – two A-League deciders and an Asian Champions League final.

Then last year, as Perth Glory closed in on a maiden A-League championship, it was denied as the club was banned from the finals for cheating the salary cap.

The pain of those near misses weighed on Jamieson so deeply that he switched off from football entirely 12 months ago.

"I didn't even want to watch the finals last year," he said. "Having gone throughout the whole season, and you've worked your socks off, and then it gets ripped away from you – when it had absolutely nothing to do with me or others – it was by far my hardest footballing moment.

"We were innocent victims and it hurt. People outside probably don't understand how tough that period was, to be smeared with that. Honestly, winning a championship is probably the only thing that will heal that pain.

"It's something I'm dying for, because when you look back on your career, you want to reflect on the moments where you reached the pinnacle. So far, I haven't done that."

Much as Jamison has fond memories of his time in Adelaide, when he emerged as one of the A-League's best left-backs, there won't be any part of him that enjoys seeing his old team triumph.

"I love the sense of going there and upsetting their fairytale," he said. "Having been there, I know first hand how passionate the Adelaide people are and how much they love their football, which is something I respect.

"They've been crying out for a championship but we can't let it be this season. We believe it's our turn and we're here to bring the championship back to Western Sydney."

Jamieson believes having the match staged away from Hindmarsh is an enormous plus for the Wanderers, estimated to be bringing close to 10,000 of their loudest fans to Adelaide.

"I know from being an Adelaide United player, those nights like last Friday [the semi-final win over Melbourne City] at Hindmarsh are incredible," he said. "The combination of great fans and being in a purpose-built football stadium is a huge advantage.

"But Adelaide Oval is a game changer. It evens the ledger up. It's in their home city and they'll have the support but I just feel going to Hindmarsh is that much harder to visit and to win."

One of the trickiest parts for Jamieson this week is not knowing who'll play on the right-hand side of Adelaide's attack, with Reds coach Guillermo Amor frequently rotating his options.

"It could be any of [Sergio] Cirio, [Craig] Goodwin or [Bruce] Kamau, who played the last game. They're all three different players but all three are very good players in their own right," he said. "You'd kind of think they wouldn't change a winning team, especially a winning team that performed very well last week but they certainly have the capacity to mix things up if the coach was to ring some changes, and then there's Pablo Sanchez off the bench.

"All I can do is be ready for anything that lies ahead but also focus on myself and just look forward to it and enjoy it."

What the defender clearly enjoys, however, is being part of a defensive unit that is one of the A-League's best – one he ranks as closing in on the famously staunch back four at Adelaide when he arrived there.

"It's very close to it," he said. "The team I had at Adelaide, with Angelo Costanzo, Robbie Cornthwaite, Micky Valkanis and Daniel Mullen was sensational.

"You couldn't get to the Asian Champions League final without being defensively flawless. But the players here are in that bracket."

JAMIESON: MEET THE DEFENCE THAT WILL TAKE US TO THE TITLE

Andrew Redmayne (goalkeeper): "Every top defence has a top goalkeeper and we've got two of them. 'Redders' has been fantastic throughout the season, which has been a real breakout campaign for him. When 'Rocket' [Liam Reddy] came in, he was very solid."

Alberto (right centre-back): "I didn't know Alberto before he arrived in Australia but he just radiates calmness and assuredness. He's so relaxed, efficient and he just makes the game look easy. Without hesitation, I can say he is one of the best in the league."

Nikolai Topor-Stanley (left centre-back): "Nikolai has been here since day one and while I knew him from playing against him, having worked with him and witnessed first hand his preparation, it's been a lesson. He's taught me what it takes to be a genuine professional footballer. He'll love reading me saying that, but it's true."

Scott Neville (right-back): "On the other flank to me is 'Nevs', who I've played against several times. I've always had a respect for him, with his engine, which is so strong. He's just so fit. The great part [of] our combination is that we have a relationship where we push each other to get better – It's always a mini-competition. Who has done the most kilometres in a game, or training, and it's always about giving the most to the team."

The rest: "At the back we've always been very stable and strong but it's really something we do very well as a team. We defend from the front, where 'Bridgey' [Mark Bridge] and 'Santa' [Brendon Santalab] work their socks off and make it easier for us. It all starts from there and sets the tempo for everyone else."