The pair will lock horns in Sunday's A-League grand final in what already promises to be the game's most physical duel, with neither player known for taking a backwards step.

In the semi-final Santalab and Brisbane skipper Jade North endured a match-long duel, one almost came to physical blows but ended with the pair settling for a war of words instead.

The same is expected between Santalab and La Rocca at Adelaide Oval in the title decider and the striker let the fuse by declaring he knows that La Rocca – who spent three years at the Wanderers before changing sides last year – is only playing defence because Adelaide coach Guillermo Amor, won't play him in midfield.

"I am surprised to see him in defence because he didn't enjoy playing that role here [at Western Sydney]. To see him playing there now is a bit of a shock for me because I know he doesn't enjoy playing there and for me, I need to take advantage of that and find out his weaknesses."

Not that Santalab thinks there's too many in La Rocca's armour, having seen him up close for several years.

"He's an aggressive player and one that we worked very well together for a couple of years here and it will be a great battle because he's a fantastic defender," he said. "I'm looking forward to the challenge."

However, Santalab reckons the stoush between himself and North was all one-way traffic – starting from the mouth of the ex-Socceroo.

"There were no real words from me, it was all from Jade North. I just get on with my game," he said. "I think defenders like to get in striker's ears and try to put them off. But it doesn't faze me. I'm too old for that."

Santalab has been in career-best form heading into the grand final, bagging five goals in his past three games, including the critical second goal for the Wanderers in their extraordinary 5-4 comeback win over Brisbane Roar, a game he admits is still dominating his thoughts.

"It's hard to get over because it was so special. The game itself, the fans, the atmosphere was something we haven't seen before," he said. "As a player, you have to try to calm down and move forward because we have a bigger game this week and if you keep thinking about last week it can distract you from the big game this week.

"But if you look at the past three games, ask any team if they are happy with 11 games and I think they'll take that. Going into a grand final with that behind us is a very positive thing for us and we'll continue to go at Adelaide and continue to score goals."

Wanderers' captain Nikolai Topor-Stanley, one of the few remaining players to play in the club's first two losing grand finals, said it was an opportunity the club was determined not to let slip.

"I think I'll carry that disappointment forever. You never get over that and you never know when your next grand final is going to be," he said. "But I'm lucky enough that we've got another opportunity on Sunday."

The game shapes as the 31-year old's final outing for the Wanderers, with Chinese clubs set to make offers for his services in June, with suggestions of a $3 million offer set to be tabled.

"Obviously time is ticking for me, especially, and I've been here four years, so I don't know if I'll achieve the dream at this club or elsewhere. You never know," he said. "Whenever you have the chance to play and be crowned champion, you really want to take it by the horns."