Canberra FC captain Aidan Brunskill knows high expectations are all part and parcel of playing for the most successful club in ACT history.
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Twelve months after a disappointing third place in the league and missing out on the grand final, Canberra FC can cap off a remarkable turnaround in Saturday's decider against arch rivals Canberra Olympic at McKellar Park.
The Premier League team is one of five from the traditional powerhouse to qualify for grand finals this weekend.
Canberra FC also features in the under-20s, under-18s and under-14 boys, while their under-19 women's team is challenging for the title for the first time.
Brunskill admits the first-grade side underachieved last season and credited the improvement of a host of younger players as being crucial in the team's resurgence.
Canberra FC claimed the league championship with a seven-point gap over its nearest rival, winning 18 of 23 games and scoring 86 goals while only conceding 22.
''There's always a bit of pressure playing for Canberra FC to win silverware because we've been so successful in the past so you create expectation from the club, from the supporters and from yourself as well,'' Brunskill said.
''Last year it was the start of a transition period for us. Some of the older players were starting to finish up and we were getting a few of the younger players.
''They've always been gifted, but now they've got experience as well and that's why we've done so well.''
Players such as Julian Borgna, Aaron Evans, Daniel Bennett and Ryan Keir have been key components in Miro Trninic's line-up. Canberra FC will be out to repeat the result of its most recent grand final victory in 2011 when it prevailed 8-5 in a 13-goal epic against Olympic.
The two clubs are well aware of what each other is capable of, with several players swapping sides in recent years.
Canberra FC pair James Field and Domenic Giampaolo both had stints with Olympic, while classy midfielder Victor Yanes has crossed the divide in the opposite direction. To muddy the waters further, Olympic coach Leo Exarhos plays for Canberra FC in the lower grades.
''We're forever targeting each other's players and it's why games between Canberra FC and Olympic are so competitive,'' Exarhos said.
''They're the two teams who are at the forefront of Canberra football. Canberra FC have a ridiculous amount of quality in their team.
''We'll have to wait and see what Canberra FC have to throw at us and how we respond.''
Yanes will be a vital inclusion after missing last week's 4-2 win against Belconnen United in the preliminary final through work commitments.
''He's a real X-factor for us and one of the most skilful players in the league,'' Exarhos said.