Australia Captain Michael Clarke believes losing to New Zealand in the group stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup has benefited his side in the long run.
It's not, however, a result he intends to repeat in the final.
The tournament co-hosts will meet for the second time in the tournament at the MCG on Sunday with a 3.30am start UK time after Clarke's men completed a 95-run Semi-Final victory over India.
And the skipper now admits that being bowled out by the Black Caps for 151 before succumbing to a one-wicket defeat in the group stages helped galvanise his team for the remainder of the tournament.
"Losing to New Zealand gave us that kick up the backside," he said.
"I still don't think we've played the perfect game yet. I think we've improved every game and now we're excited to be in the final.
"I think the boys have played some outstanding cricket. Smithy [Steve Smith] was exceptional once again. He's hitting the ball so sweetly and I'm really proud of the execution under pressure there from our bowlers."
Mitchell Johnson's all-round performance of 27 off nine deliveries, followed by the important back-to-back wickets of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, was integral to Australia's last four success; and the Captain singled out his strike bowler for special praise after the match.
"I've always said Mitchell making runs gives him confidence with the ball," he said. "I think tonight was a good example of that.
"Mitch is a class performer. He probably hasn't had the standout tournament everybody expects of him all the time.
"Because he's such a great performer, you expect him to take five wickets every time walks out on the field. But I think he's done a fantastic job for this team throughout this tournament.
"He's a wicket-taker, he's an X-factor, but he's got experience under pressure now, so a dangerous weapon to have.
"He's an example of someone who always puts the team first. He would love to open the bowling but he knows it's best for the team at the moment that he bowls first change.
"He hasn't blinked once at it. It doesn't bother him. He wants to win, that's what's most important."
Despite Johnson's all-round contribution, Steve Smith took the player of the match award after posting his fourth career One-Day International century in Australia's total of 328-7.
And the 25-year-old number three batsman, who has passed 50 in each of his past four innings, is hoping to contribute three figures again in Sunday's final.
"Another big hundred would be nice," he said. "Bring on Melbourne!"
"We thought 330 was around par. We knew we had to bowl and field well and the boys did a fantastic job tonight.
"It's nice to contribute to a few wins. It was a pretty big stage, the semi-final of a World Cup. I'm just happy that we got over the line in the end."