Just four teams remain in the finals hunt of Westfield W-League's third season, with the top-four finish coming down to the wire—it was determined by the last matches played in the last round.

The round-12 results saw Sydney FC snatch premiership from Brisbane Roar, after the two teams jostled for and variously occupied the top spot throughout the season. It's the second consecutive premiership for the Sky Blues, and they'll be aiming to defeat traditional interstate rivals Melbourne on Sunday to progress to the grand final and defend their championship title.

They'll know who their potential grand final opponents will be too, as second-placed Brisbane will host third-placed Canberra on Saturday in the weekend's other semi. It's a season-one grand final rematch and Brisbane will be looking to once again come out on top.

The team hasn't performed as strongly as they'd hoped throughout the season and will be playing for a chance to crack Sydney, who they can beat—most recently one goal to nil in sweltering conditions in Sydney on New Year's Day.

With both Sydney and Brisbane boasting the bulk of the Westfield Matildas players, they're the hot favourites heading into their respective semi finals. Having scored 11 goals throughout the season, Kyah Simon is both in devastating form and leading the golden boot race. Providing her (and Leena Khamis, who has six season goals to her name) with good service is a strong Sydney midfield, which Melbourne will find hard to break down.

Brisbane's goals have come from a number of its players, with Tameka Butt, Lana Harch, and Lisa De Vanna on five, four, and three season goals apiece. This lends them strength and consistency across the park, and the team will also be boosted by the return of starting XI players captain Clare Polkinghorne and Elise 'KK' Kellond-Knight. The team has missed their strong service, particularly KK's pinpoint-accurate free kick and corner deliveries into the box.

But Canberra shouldn't be discounted. As the season's quiet but consistent achievers, they are more than capable of an upset. Matildas Caitlin Munoz, Sally Shipard, and Ellyse Perry bring skill and experience to the team across at the midfield and striking and defensive ends. Combined with the team's underdog status, these players will help make Canberra a formidable and dangerous opponent.

Likewise with Melbourne, who will be making their first finals appearance in the W-League's history. They broke into the top four with a win over Adelaide United and a favourable result from the Canberra v Perth match in the season's final regulation round, and are likely to be buoyed by this last-gasp opportunity.

In all, neither of the games' results are a given and any of the four could come out on top. It means there's an extremely exciting weekend of women's football ahead.


Brisbane v Canberra

Saturday 5 February

2pm EST (1-hour highlights package at 6pm)

Ballymore

 

Sydney v Melbourne

Sunday 6 February

3pm EDST (1-hour highlights package at 6pm)

Campbelltown Stadium