She wasn't even in the match-day squad for last year's grand final, but Canberra United defender Rebecca Kiting is now an essential part of the side's rock-solid back four.
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The 24-year-old foundation player has established herself at right full-back in a Canberra side aiming to extend its run of clean sheets at McKellar Park when it hosts Melbourne Victory on Saturday.
The match has been pushed back an hour to a 5pm kick-off after concerns the wet bulb temperature was going to be above the 28 degree limit.
The former Australian under-17 and under-20 youth international returned to Canberra last season, but admits she was a bit under-done having spent the off-season playing in Europe.
Kiting made limited appearances for Canberra last season and was left out of the squad for their grand final victory against the Perth Glory.
She has repaid the faith of coach Rae Dower after basing herself in Canberra during the winter.
"I was away playing in the Czech Republic in the middle of last year, so I think that put me out a little bit in terms of coming back and being a bit unfit and not being amongst the girls during the year," Kiting said.
"Whereas this year I've stayed in Canberra and seen a lot of the girls and I think that has helped me get my starting spot.
"Rae's got a lot of confidence in me and that's given me some confidence so I've been able to settle into the right back position."
Canberra are unbeaten in their past five games and have kept a clean sheet in four of those on their way to moving up to second on the table.
Kiting has formed a solid partnership alongside centre-back Ellie Brush.
"She's just fit in really well this year and making that spot her own," Brush said.
"Being on my right side, we've formed a good combination and across the back four we've had some really good consistency and that's showing on the scoreboard.
"Myself, Bec and Nicole [Begg] are all foundation players and having that good base is working for us."
Canberra have conceded seven goals from its eight games this season, with four of those coming at the hands of unbeaten ladder leaders Melbourne City.
With City all but having locked up top spot, Canberra's focus is finishing second and securing a home semi-final.
"That's our goal at the moment and having that home final will be huge," Brush said.
"We're really excited about the prospect of coming up against [City] again.
"We're a bit disappointed we don't come up against them again before we potentially face them in the finals.
"We know we're going to play our best football against them."
SATURDAY: W-League: Canberra United v Melbourne Victory at McKellar Park, 5pm.
Canberra United: 1. Lydia Williams (gk), 2. Catherine Brown, 3. Julia De Angelis, 4. Kendall Fletcher, 5. Jenna McCormick, 6. Caitlin Munoz, 7. Ellie Brush, 8. Meg McLaughlin, 11. Michelle Heyman, 12. Emma Kete, 13. Nicole Begg (c), 14. Ashleigh Sykes, 15. Emma Checker, 17. Veronica Perez, 18. Rebecca Kiting, 20. Melissa Maizels (gk).
Melbourne Victory: 20. Melissa Barbieri (gk) (c), 2. Alexandra Natoli, 4. Melissa Taranto, 6. Annabel Martin, 7. Enza Barilla, 8. Jamie Pollock, 10. Christine Nairn, 11. Melinda J Barbieri, 12. Whitney Knight, 13. Thea Slatyer, 15. Adriana Taranto, 16. Hayley Raso, 17. Gulcan Koca, 1. Cassandra Dimovski (gk), 27. Natasha Dowie.
