To see Sydney FC girls training today...

 

Brisbane reclaimed top spot on the W-League ladder courtesy of a 1-0 win over Canberra United at Perry Park four days before Christmas.

A dash of Lana Harch magic in the 60th minute was enough to secure all three points and she will be one of a number of players to watch out for on Saturday.

Roar sit one point ahead of Sydney FC heading into Saturday’s blockbuster, but the Sky Blue girls have played one game less. They also have the best goals scored record with 19 (three more than Roar).

Simon, 19, is one major reason why Sydney have scored so freely this season with six goals to her name. She’s equal top of the charts with Canberra United’s Michelle Heyman.And Simon knows how key this game is.

“We need it for the minor premiership,” the Matilda star told au.fourfourtwo.com at training on Wednesday. "We’d be clear on top of the table. If we won the league, it would give us a home final

“It’d be great to come up with a win and we’re ready to take it on. And every game we play against them is usually a great game.”

For Brisbane, they’ll look for inspiration from Aivi Luik, Tameka Butt, Claire Polkinghorne and Elise Kellond-Knight - just some of a stellar list at the disposal of coach Jeff Hopkins.

However, their most potent weapon may come off the bench in the shape of an enigmatic former Peth Glory star on the comeback trail.

Electrifying Matildas striker Lisa De Vanna has been a massive get for the club and she surely will pose the biggest danger coming off the bench against Servet Uzunlar and Co in the home side’s defence.

“Every girls’ performance in the W-League gives them a potential foot in the door of the national team in what is a World Cup year in 2011,” added Simon, Australia's final penalty hero at the 2010 Asian Cup.

“And there’ll be plenty of players on Saturday with ambitions for the World Cup.”

It was the Sky Blue girls who came up with the win on the opening day of the season with a sensational 4-2 victory in Brisbane. Saturday is also a grand final rematch after Sydney took the trophy in last season’s showpiece in Cronulla against the then-reigning champions.

On Wednesday, the SFC girls were put through a rigorous 90 minute session under the watchful eye of coach Alen Stajcic at Hills Sports High in the city’s west.

They’ll back this up with another session on New Year’s Eve to round out preparations for Saturday's big game. It also means both squads are destined to enjoy a quiet new year’s eve as they prepare for this crucial game.

Sydney’s star striker Catherine Cannuli is again likely to be used off the bench – she trained away from the main group on Wednesday but should be fit enough to play some part – while former Mariner Renee Rollason is under an injury cloud.

While playing on New Year’s Day has been questioned by some, the 3pm kick-off is also a contentious call.

The game is forecast to be played in around 35-degree heat, although Stajcic doubts that will impact on how the game will be played out.

"There's so much on the line it'll be hard to rein them in," he said. “There’s a lot on the line with national team spots and of course with both of us at the top of the league. And they all know that.

“This game will go a long way to determining the minor premiership. Canberra is still in with a shout but you’d think whoever wins on Saturday will have destiny in their own hands.”

The match will be broadcast live and exclusive on ABC 1 at 3pm AEST.

To see Sydney FC girls training today...