It's taken us 12 rounds but we are finally down to four; Brisbane Roar, Perth Glory, Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC.  Brisbane Roar continue to peak at the right end of the season with a dominate performance to oust Canberra United and clench their first premiership since Season One. 

Here are the Round 12 talking points:

1.  Meeks but not mild:  Brisbane Roar forward Tameka Butt has easily been the player of the last month and on Saturday she continued her devastating form .  From kick off, the quicksilver attacker terrorised a good Canberra defence with lateral runs, diagonal runs, creating scoring opportunities or scoring them herself.  Arguably the best and most consistent player in W-League history (and the only player to have scored in all four Grand Finals), Butt in was in fine form again with a hat-trick in her in her 50th W-League appearance.

2.  Champions ousted: With Sydney FC winning their "do or die" match just minutes after they kicked off, the equation for Canberra heading into their final regular season game was simple; win and they were through for a chance to defend their title.  What they came up against was a red-hot Roar outfit who were set on winning the premiership.  In the end the result was undoubtable and it was a tough loss for a team that never quite got their title defence going from the draw in the first game of Season Five.  To add insult to injury, Season Five is the first time that Canberra will not be contesting the W-League finals series.    

3.  Home field advantage:  This was what has been on offer for the last two weeks and while Brisbane went about calmly securing theirs, Perth were waiting with baited breath as to whether they would host a home final in their first finals series.  In the end it was thanks to their stumbling block last week (Newcastle Jets) that they now have the right to take on Melbourne Victory on their home turf.  The Shed and Glory Fans United have started rounding up the troops which could just do the trick. Although with the two teams so close on the ladder and in form, it could end up making little difference. 

4.  Who do we sing for?: Speaking of vocal home support, how about the RBB?  I've attended over 50 W-League matches in the past five seasons.  Matches in Perth, Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane and never have I heard the noise and volume of support for a W-League team as the RBB displayed.  In fact, bar the 2011 Women's World Cup, it is an atmosphere never I've never experienced at a women's football match.  Yes, there were some incidents we could have done without but all it in all the RBB are to be commended creating a splendid atmosphere of noise and colour in support of their team.  Thanks lads. 

5.  Déjà vu all over again: So we turn to the semi finals. It's a potent midfield and attack boasting Matildas quartet Kate Gill, Lisa De Vanna, Collette McCallum, Aivi Luik up against the stingiest defence in the league anchored Matildas duo Brianna Davey and Stephanie Catley, NZ international Rebekah Stott and American Danielle Johnson. Perth Glory are hosting Melbourne Victory in what is sure to be a tight contest with grand final appearance on the line for either team; a first grand final appearance as well.      

However the match that has everyone talking is the heavy weight bout between Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC.  12 months on from the infamous semi at the same time, the same place and the same prize on the line.  Admittedly both teams have undergone significant changes in the past 12 months in personnel (on and off the pitch) and although the talk from Sydney is not about redemption, it would be surprising if that final was not their mind.  This match should produce some great attacking football.  Sydney have the inform and firing Sam Kerr, Emma Kete, Kyah Simon and Caitlin Foord (who has played in an advanced role of late) while Brisbane has the aforementioned Tameka Butt, Katrina Gorry, Emily Gielnik and Amy Chapman.  It's safe to say which defence can hold out settle this encounter. 

Westfield W-League 2013 Finals Series – Match Details

Brisbane Roar v Sydney FC
Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre, Brisbane
Saturday 19 January 2013
kick-off: 3pm local (4pm AEDT)

Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory
nib Stadium, Perth
Sunday 20 January 2013
kick-off: 1pm local (4pm AEDT)