Together, Derek Oelmann and 19-year-old custodian Evan Alexandrow-Ridley are two of the driving forces behind Woden Valley's maiden finals appearance.

The surprise packets of the Canberra National Premier League will hope to continue their dream run when they take on Canberra Olympic in Saturday's elimination semi-final at McKellar Park.

Oelmann has been a revelation in his first season in Australia, finding the net a whopping 28 times to easily finish as the competition's leading goal-scorer.

At the opposite end of the park, Alexandrow-Ridley is reaping the benefits of a season in the youth ranks at English Premier League club Fulham.

Alexandrow-Ridley trained with the club's under-18 and under-21 squads last year, getting the invaluable opportunity to pick the brain of the most capped goal-keeper in Socceroos history.

Schwarzer, who has made 108 appearances for the national team, spent five seasons with Fulham before moving to Chelsea this year.

''It was an absolutely fantastic experience just being around the first team with guys like Mark Schwarzer,'' Alexandrow-Ridley said.

''I had been on trial a year or so ago with Fulham and they wanted to have another look at me and asked me to stay the season.

''I felt quite lucky to have been in such a professional club in a professional environment where everything is provided for you.''

Problems with obtaining a work visa prevented Alexandrow-Ridley from playing official games, forcing him to return to Australia.

Before going to Europe, the teenager spent two years with the ACT Academy of Sport and was on a training agreement with the AIS.

Oelmann has overcome a rough start, getting dropped to the club's reserve-grade team before finding his feet.

The 23-year-old played for Upper Iowa University in the US and trialled with second-division professional team the Minnesota Stars.

''It was a bit of a rough start for myself, Dean [coach Dean Ugrinic] dropping me down to the 20s the first time we played Olympic was a wake-up call and I think I've responded pretty well,'' Oelmann said.

''It goes to my teammates, they've been excellent and just having that confidence.''

Despite finishing the season in fourth, Woden has taken the scalp of every other team in the finals this season, including a 2-0 win against runner-up Belconnen United last week.

''We had a rough spell a few weeks back, but we've been in good form recently and need to keep that going,'' Oelmann said.

''We feel like we can beat any team in the league.''

Belconnen United will face league champion Canberra FC in Sunday's qualifying final at Deakin Stadium, with a spot in the decider up for grabs.