Brogan clearing possibe danger | TWG Brogan clearing possibe danger | TWG

While the Sydney FC team is one chock full of stars, this year it has been their lesser well known players that have steered the Sky Blues into the finals.  They include the likes of Renee Rollason, Teresa Polias and backline general Danielle Brogan.

Now with captain Heather Garriock out for the rest of the season, defender Brogan will stand in to lead Sydney for the rest of the W-League campaign.

Brogan first led the team at the beginning of the season with Garriock absent and the 23 year old, who has participated in the W-League since its inception, is excited about taking it on for the remainder of the season.  

"I actually don't mind it.  I think it gives me a little more leniency with the referees!" she said laughingly.  "It's almost like it gives me authority to give them a little."  

"I am obviously a very boisterous person and I feel like I actually play better when I am in control."  

"I doesn't mean just because I've got the armband on that I am the only leader in the team.  Obviously we have a lot of senior players so everyone plays a vital role in the leadership in our team.  I am just lucky to be able to take over from Heather."

The loss of Garriock, who is Australia's most capped current player, is a big blow for Sydney but is one that Brogan believes they can cover.  

"It is going to be a little bit of a challenge not having Heather because she is so dominant when she is on the field and is a naturally left footed player."  

"Not that we can fully replace Heather, but I definitely think that we have the troops behind us to be able to cover for her and still be successful." 

While those young players will play their part, it is the core of Sydney that makes such a dangerous team.  Despite that Brogan and her team mates have flown under the radar this season as undefeated Canberra United has garnered most of the headlines.  Not that they have minded that.

"It's probably the first year where we haven’t been talked about a lot which has actually been nice."

"Across the board Queensland and New South Wales has always dominated women's football and it is really good for the league that another club is coming in and challenging that."

Sydney have been an enigma in Season Four and, despite having the best attacking and defensive record in the league, they would be the first to tell you that at times they haven't played well.

"Everyone has been disappointed that we haven't reached our full potential this year. Last year we hit our strides really early and it was just unfortunate we lost in the final."  

"This year I think we all know we still have so much more to improve and as a whole group I don't think we have played the best that we can."

Regardless, heading into the finals series, Leena Khamis, Thea Slatyer, Kylie Ledbrook, Caitlin Foord, Polias, Rollason and a fully fit Kyah Simon make them a difficult proposition for any team.  But first they must twice get past long-time nemesis Brisbane Roar and there are some great rewards for at stake.  A win tomorrow would ensure a home semi-final and victory there would catapult them into their third grand final in as many seasons.  

"It’s a situation we have never been before where we are more than likely going to be playing them the following week in the semi-final as well."  

"Everyone just wants to get the win so that we can guarantee a home semi-final and then kind of have one over them leading into next weekend."  

"Obviously it would be nice to have a home final and have all our friends and family there.  But we definitely don't have a problem playing away and I guess it just comes down to who is playing better on the day because both teams have very strong squads."