Ellie Brush and Jenna McCormick will go from enemies to teammates in 24 hours when they battle for AFL bragging rights before joining forces for a W-League title bid.
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The Canberra United defenders will be temporarily divided on Saturday when their respective teams, the GWS Giants and Adelaide Crows, go head to head in a historic AFL Women's contest.
Brush and McCormick are itching to make their debut in the new league that's breaking down barriers for female athletes.
But instead of playing against each other at Thebarton Oval, Brush and McCormick will be united on a mission to win their W-League semi-final at Canberra Stadium.
Canberra's championship charge means Brush and McCormick will delay the start to their AFL Women's careers as they chase a soccer grand final berth.
"Of course you want to be a part of the firsts for AFL," McCormick said.
"There's so much buzz about the competition and it is very hard to not think about.
"But I know that when I'm at soccer, I'm at soccer for a reason and I'm committed to the team and the things we're trying to achieve.
"I know that once we've hopefully achieved our goal in soccer, I can switch to footy. But this round one is a big one ... bragging rights are definitely on the line against Brushy."
Brush and McCormick are part of a 10-strong contingent of Canberra athletes who are playing in the inaugural AFL Women's season, which started on Friday night.
McCormick flew back to Adelaide earlier this week to help launch the Crows' season but the former Brisbane Lions will be watching on television for the club's first game.
Brush will be cheering on the Giants after her Canberra United skipper was recruited as one of the club's rookies.
"It would have been good to play against Ellie ... hopefully we end up playing against each other in the [AFL Women's] grand final so we get the chance to go at it," McCormick joked.
Canberra United finished at the top of the W-League ladder and needs to beat Melbourne City on Sunday to clinch a grand final spot.
A loss against Melbourne would mean Brush and McCormick can start their AFL season earlier than hoped. But both want championship glory before they swap codes.
"I know the AFL is exciting and the opening round will be awesome, but it doesn't really compare to the excitement of a semi-final," Brush said.
"This is been in the plans for a little while now and we've known about it, and W-League was always going to be the priority for finals.
"No one really remembers who [finished top of the ladder], our Canberra United season starts now. I want it so badly. It's amazing that as you get older, you don't want to take these moments for granted."
Canberra's clash against Melbourne has been shifted from 2pm to 8pm to accommodate for the high temperature in the capital.
Brush played her 100th W-League game last weekend after making her comeback from a knee injury. The injury kept her out of action for almost two months in the longest lay-off of her career.
"I haven't had an injury like that over the past nine seasons," Brush said.
"That was tough, but it has actually been helpful that I've had the AFL to concentrate on as well because it's probably helped my mental health a bit. It's helped me learn for AFL and get in the gym to do different things."
W-LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL
Sunday: Canberra United v Melbourne City at Canberra Stadium, 8pm.
