They're unbeaten in the W-League this season, but Canberra United will have to beat the Queensland Roar for the first time in 1183 days to claim a maiden title.
The Roar is Canberra's bogey side, with United's only victory against the Queensland outfit coming in their very first meeting - a 1-0 win in October, 2008.
It has failed to beat the Roar in eight subsequent matches, including the inaugural 2008-09 grand final and a loss on penalties in last season's semis.
Goalkeeper Lydia Williams has had a gutful, and wants revenge more than anything this weekend.
She can still remember the tears they shed after the grand final loss three years ago.
And the club stalwarts plan to use that heartbreak as motivation to ensure they're crying with joy after this Saturday's decider at McKellar Park.
''I think the girls that haven't been playing against them [Brisbane] the last few years, I don't know if they have the same motivation [as those who have],'' Williams said.
''They have a lot of Matildas in their team, so I guess there's a point to prove that Canberra's the best.''
Current skipper Ellie Brush also led United in the 2008-09 decider.
That year Brisbane dominated the league, but this time it's all-conquering Canberra that is burdened with the favourites tag.
Along with Williams and Brush, Caitlin Munoz, Grace Gill, Ashleigh Sykes, Nicole Sykes and Jennifer Bisset are the surviving Canberra United players from that match.
''It took a while to get over that grand final, I was in tears and I think half the team were,'' Brush said.
''It was a really, really bad feeling and it's not something I want to repeat.
''Back then they were the benchmark team in the comp but it's a bit contrary this year, and it's a good feeling.''
Canberra and Brisbane played out a 2-2 draw in their only clash this season, in which Brush was guilty of conceding a late own goal.
She said it was difficult to pinpoint an exact reason behind United's woes against Brisbane.
''They seem to have an X-factor about them, especially with all their experienced players that are able to turn it on in the finals, and bring something else,'' she said.
''They've always had a lot of players able to score and create chances that have worried us.
''We're still wary of those players, but we're also a team to be scared of.''
Williams acknowledges that the prospect of losing the grand final after an unbeaten year is incomprehensible.
''I try not to think about that too much, but obviously it does play on you and you have to be aware of that,'' she said.
''As long as we're aware of it but it doesn't overwhelm us, I think we'll be all right.''
Meanwhile, Canberra is ''90 per cent confident'' coach Jitka Klimkova will return for a second campaign with the club next season.
United is negotiating with the Australian Institute of Sport to train permanently there, and is confident of sealing an agreement in the coming weeks.
However, the club is optimistic it may have its own training base by the 2013-14 season.
Capital Football chief executive Heather Reid will write a letter of support to a company which is seeking permission to build a low cost housing precinct near Mitchell's Exhibition Park.
The proposal also includes plans for an academy-style training facility complete with three football fields.
Reid is also hopeful of working with the ACT Government regarding the prospect of a medium-sized stadium being built in Canberra.
Around 1300 tickets have already been sold for Saturday's game, with ground capacity set at 2400.
''We've got a grand final at McKellar which is fantastic and a boutique venue, but the grandstand only takes 480 people,'' Reid said.
''If we had a medium-sized stadium, maybe eight to ten thousand people we'll be happy, but in the meantime we'll keep working with the AIS.''
SATURDAY
CANBERRA UNITED V BRISBANE ROAR
at McKellar Park, 3pm
TV: Live on ABC1
Tickets available at the ground or at the Capital Football office on 6260 4000 (not open today due to public holiday)
This reporter is on Twitter: @tuxy81
.gif)
