Brittany Palombi thought the opportunity to become Canberra's leading goal scorer had passed her by after she planned on leaving the sport twelve months ago.
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Palombi claimed the Golden Boot alongside Canberra United Academy's Hayley Taylor-Young, each finishing the regular season with 27 goals.
It's a feat that the left-winger never thought she'd achieve after she considered giving up the sport when her sister moved to Sydney last year.
"We've always played together - we're like a package deal," Palombi said.
"Everyone dispersed from the team I was in, so I just decided to not play ever again. But it was a good decision to come back and play."
Palombi will go head-to-head with dual Golden Boot winner Taylor-Young when Canberra FC host Canberra United Academy for a place in the NPLW decider on Sunday.
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The 23-year-old winger will head into match bursting with confidence after claiming the accolade but attributes her teammates to helping her succeed.
"I was a bit rusty at the start of the year," Palombi said.
"I couldn't of got it without the help of my teammates setting me up. They put it on a platter for me most of the time."
Palombi's Golden Boot bid was bolstered by an astonishing 12 goal haul against Wagga City while Taylor-Young scored 11 against Canberra Olympic.
Palombi hopes to bring her magic boot to the preliminary final clash and score her first goal of the finals series. Meanwhile, Taylor-Young extended her run with two goals against Gungahlin United last week.
Canberra FC defeated Canberra United Academy in their last meeting but drew nil-all in round-six.
"I like to go into everyone game thinking we're going to win, so I hope we can beat them," Palombi said.
"We have to go in knowing and believing we can win.
"They're a tough team and you never know what you're going to get from them. They're very quick and fit so it'll be a good game."
The winner will face reigning champions Belconnen United in a grand final showdown at Deakin Stadium next Saturday.
"Playing at home will definitely be an advantage for us," Palombi said.
"Belconnen are a very strong side so we can't rule them out anywhere we play against them."
NPLW Preliminary final
Sunday: Canberra FC v Canberra United Academy at Deakin Stadium, 2:00pm