The National Premier League soccer finals kick off this weekend across Canberra with the championship trophies now within reach.
Before the first whistle, The Canberra Times put together a comprehensive list of key players that look poised to have a big impact on the finals.
These are the leaders, the glue and the game-changers that will decide which team triumphs when it counts.
At 39 years young, Mat Grbesa is a beloved fixture at Canberra Croatia, and his teammates would want nothing more than to deliver him another NPL title.
The club legend is key to their success to date and will continue to be in the finals campaign, with his leadership one of his standout attributes.
"He just lives and breathes the game. He's a leader, a great communicator and he drives excellence," head coach Dean Ugrinic said.
Leading goalscorer Shandon Whitehead has been instrumental for Canberra Croatia up front since joining the club from Tigers FC too, and experienced campaigner Thomas James will also be pivotal in the coming weeks.
"Who can forget Thomas James. He is a different level from any player. He's a bit of a maverick and we give him licence to be that," Ugrinic added.
He's one of the best attacking players in the league, scoring 21 goals in 22 games, so if the Monaro Panthers end up lifting the NPL trophy in the grand final, Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu will have to play a big role.
If he's not scoring goals, he's setting them up, and his experience with multiple Canberra clubs could potentially give him an edge to unlock their defences.
"Lukman worked with me in Gungahlin and he has so much quality as a professional football player," Monaro coach Javier Roca said.
"He has had a really good impact this year for our team, and he's also just a good person."
Daniel Sparrow, Stephen Dominici and goalkeeper Heath Ilitch are also expected to be influential for the Panthers in the finals.
If there's one man that's the glue for the defending NPL champions Tigers FC, it's their captain Sam Whithear.
It doesn't matter which club they play against, Whithear is always heavily involved and commanding his side from the back with physical and fearless defence.
While the Milicevic brothers Aidan and Josh keep busy up front scoring for Tigers, Whithear takes care of business at the other end.
With his help Tigers have conceded the fewest goals in the league during the regular season and Whithear's finals experience from previous years will be invaluable.
A physical presence in defence will be needed if Tuggeranong are a shot at causing a few upsets in the NPL finals.
Jack Green delivers as a smart, strong, and experienced centreback who will not let anyone past him easily.
He's in good form, and fresh off Tuggeranong's back-to-back clean sheets leading into week one of the finals, Green will be feeling confident.
He's also handy for a goal or two, knowing where to be at the right time.
It's a massive year for Queanbeyan City, with the club celebrating its 60th anniversary, and what better way to mark the occasion than by a winning finals run.
Teenager Seth Bonnett is one of the youngsters coming through City's ranks and staking his claim in the senior side. The ACT representative at the National Schoolboys will be one to watch in the NPL finals.
This season he's had to back-up between under-23s and first grade, but he hasn't taken a backward step.
After two decades out of the NPL, Canberra Juventus were among the clubs that were thrust into the top competition this season, as Capital Football dealt with the fallout of Gungahlin United's collapse.
In their first season back in the NPL, Juventus has sealed their finals ticket and now want to make the most of their opportunity.
A player key to their success is Luca Macor, an experienced midfielder who has found the net nine times this season, and is always threatening opposition defences.
He's the type of player that can turn a game on its head.
"It's an exciting time for the club coming from the second division and sitting up now in a finals spot," Canberra Juventus president Michael Sergi said.
Teenage goalkeeper Gabe Taurasi has also been important to Juventus' finals berth but will be greatly tested against tough opponents.
Izzy Hindmarsh - Belconnen United, midfielder
The holding midfielder is a goal assist machine, calm over the ball and consistently displays her football IQ, as one of the top players in the league.
"I'll be falling over backwards if she doesn't get player of the year," Belconnen coach Scott Conlon said.
"The way that she breaks up play when we don't have the ball is a talent. Then when we do have the ball, she can create our build-up play and often we end up having a chance created if she's the one that starts it.
"Her vision and passing range is insane. No-one can defend it."
Belconnen captain Bronte Pyke and Lillian Skelly also give United X-factor.
Belconnen United come into the 2026 finals as favourites after claiming a historic quadruple last season, winning the claim the league, the championship, the Federation Cup and Charity Shield in the same year.
Canberra Croatia claimed the Charity Shield, but Belconnen won the Cup and comfortably claimed the league to keep their chances of sealing the treble alive.
Ellie Summers - Canberra Croatia, goalkeeper
While Belconnen have only let in six goals this season, Canberra Croatia's defence has been just as impressive, conceding just seven times all year.
A big reason for that success at the back is goalkeeper Ellie Summers who is a tall, imposing figure and keeps her cool at the back under pressure.
Summers' work in goal in the shootout in the Charity Shield against Belconnen helped her club to victory, and if there is another moment where she needs to step up in the finals, Canberra Croatia can count on her.
Tehya Aspland - Canberra Olympic, centreback
Teenage defender Tehya Aspland won't be in the NPL for long on her current trajectory, so she's a promising homegrown talent to watch.
Juggling year 12 and her blossoming soccer career, Aspland represented the Junior Matildas at the U17 Asian Cup this year, and brought her experience to Olympic for 15 games.
She has excellent touch, isn't fazed when caught in tight spaces or under pressure, and will be a key figure for Olympic in the finals.
"She's a standout in the league and should be in the A-League," Olympic coach Victor Yanes said.
"She's a bit of a larrikin, but when she steps onto the pitch, she's just a different person. She's super calm, reads the game quicker than everyone else. She's always in the right position. Some people that you see play and they're just different and Tehya is one of those people."
Arusha Chew's goal frenzy since her comeback from injury makes her another player worth keeping an eye on.
Nicole Zhao - Tuggeranong United, striker
One of the best pick-ups for Tuggeranong this season was former Canberra Croatia player, Nicole Zhao, who has scored six goals for her new club, and comes into the finals after a brace last weekend.
She has speed on her side, always has an eye for goal and constantly tests defenders to break through to score. If a defender is caught napping, Zhao will strike.
It's been an up and down season for Tuggeranong and they only just snuck into the finals race in a six-team competition where the top-three have dominated. But as everyone knows, come the finals anything can happen.
Tigers FC v Canberra Juventus, Riverside Stadium 4pm
Tuggeranong United v Queanbeyan City, Riverside Stadium 7pm
Canberra Croatia (first on ladder) and Monaro Panthers (second) to play winners of each match in preliminary final.
Belconnen United v Canberra Croatia, McKellar Park 4pm
Canberra Olympic v Tuggeranong United, McKellar Park 7pm
Winners of each match to play in grand final.
