Clifford, 18, was red-carded after committing a professional foul in last Saturday's semi-final against Canberra United.

With the speedy Ashleigh Sykes bearing down on goal, the tall centreback pulled her back and was duly given a straight red after just 12 minutes.

With Canberra starting confidently, Garriock said if Canberra had taken an early lead, they may have gone on against ten-woman Sydney. In the end, though, class shone through, but it could easily have gone awry.  

"When young Sykes was away, Alesha took one for the team," midfield dynamo Garriock told au.fourfourtwo.com.

"She's devastated about missing Saturday's big day, but if it wasn't for her, we may've been down a goal and may've not made the grand final."

In the end, the ten women of Sydney cruised to their victory over a young Canberra side. It's been this type of form - particularly over the last month with 15 goals scored by the sky blues - that has Garriock, 27, confident about Saturday's big game against reigning champions Brisbane Roar.

Tomorrow will be a big day for Sydney Football Club. Their A-League side plays a game dubbed a "mini-grand final" against arch-rivals Melbourne in the evening.

A few hours earlier, their NYL side also plays Melbourne while their W-League side will look to bring another piece of silverware to the club when they take on Brisbane Roar in the grand final.

And there's plenty riding on Saturday's W-League grand final. Coach Alen Stajcic has stressed the importance of finding a base for the team from next season. The nomadic sky blues have played home games this season at SFS, Seymour Shaw Park, Leichhardt Oval and Shark Park.

A big crowd and a big occasion may just convince the bean counters at Shark Park (home of Cronulla Sharks NRL side) that they need a team to play out of the stadium in summer.  And there's something else that Garriock wants from this game - something less tangible.

"We want to gain respect from not only Sydney FC as a club but gain respect from the general public and young kids who aspire to play in the W-League and the national team," the star Matilda said.

That respect may slowly be gaining. A strong contingent of the Cove - Sydney's official supporters group - turned up for Saturday's semi. And despite Sydney's A-League team playing in Melbourne just hours after the W-League finale, Garriock is hoping the Shire fans can come out in big numbers.

"The Cove kept us going - when we went down to ten players and we had to do so much more running in the heat, they kept us going. They were vocal for the whole time and that's what we need from not only the Cove but the whole crowd.

"So it's excitement and confidence that we're feeling.  Obviously Roar's strength is defence and ours is in attack. Having said that, defenders like Alesha have kept us in it in recent weeks."

She added: "It's very important to us and a great moment in all our careers - especially for our Danish girls as well. To captain the side means a lot to me. And this Sydney FC team is the best NSW women's team I've been involved in, in my career."

The game kicks off 3pm at Shark Park, Cronulla this Saturday. The match will also be live and exclusive on ABC 1 and ABC HD.