Old Canberrans are careful of not focusing all their energy on containing Kookaburras striker Glenn Turner as they aim to return to the Hockey ACT Capital League 1 grand final.
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A spot against Central in the decider is up for grabs when Old Canberrans take on surprise packets Goulburn at the National Hockey Centre in the men's preliminary final on Saturday.
Goulburn has surpassed all expectations in its first season in the competition, coming back from a four-goal deficit to narrowly go down 5-4 to two-time defending champions Central in last week's qualifying final.
Turner has provided plenty of leadership and spark in attack after he was surprisingly overlooked for the Kookaburras for the Commonwealth Games.
But Old Canberrans captain Seyi Onitiri knows Goulburn possess plenty of weapons besides Turner that his side must contain.
"Having Glenn Turner back consistently for a few weeks has helped them, but more than that a few of their other guys with him back have gained a bit of confidence and played well," Onitiri said.
"With the sheer numbers on the field, you can't commit too much attention to one person.
"The last time we played them that probably hurt us
"Guys were focused on shutting him too much or a bit in awe and it was other guys that did the damage."
Reigning Brophy Medallist Todd Devlin followed Turner from Wests, while Australian under-21 squad member Aaron Kershaw has also played a pivotal role in Goulburn's success.
Goulburn coach Steve Downey said it had been a big bonus for the team to have Turner back for the second half of the season.
"We were struggling to score goals, a lot of our goals were coming from short corners," Downey said.
"Having him back has been a big difference and we've scored a lot of field goals since."
While not taking Old Canberrans lightly, Goulburn is determined to turn the tables on Central.
"The boys are very keen because we want to give Central another crack next weekend," Downey said.
"We were a bit dirty that we gave them such a head start at the start of the game, but we did very well to come back.
"Old Canberrans are a bit similar to us, they're a fairly tough team and this is do or die."
In the women's first-grade, Tuggeranong Vikings will take on Central on Sunday in the preliminary final for the right to face St Pat's in the grand final.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 1: Preliminary finals: Men: Goulburn v Old Canberrans on Saturday, 3.45pm. Women: Tuggeranong Vikings v Central on Sunday, 3.45pm. Both games at the National Hockey Centre.
