Every team has one.

That player who is not the biggest name, nor are they the best player or have the eye catching skills.

But they are the player who will bleed for the club, are hated by the opposition because they will get in their faces and loved by their fans for that same reason.

They have seen the good times and have survived the depths. They are part of the fabric of the club.

For Perth Glory Elisa D'Ovidio is one of those players.

Now after seven seasons as one of the few foundation players left, 'Vids' is retiring.

"To be honest it kind of feels still surreal," D'Ovidio said.

"It's not something I am trying to think about at the moment. I am just trying to think about the game itself and hopefully getting a trophy at the end of it; our first ever trophy."

At 25 years old and playing some of her best football as an individual and with the team, D'Ovidio is leaving the game at her prime.

So why is the diminutive striker stepping away?

"For me it’s a bit different to everyone else," she explained.

"Everything I do outside of playing is also related to soccer as well. My job as a Development Officer in football and I coach as well so it has proved to be a bit too much at times."

"There is other avenues I now want to take and explore."

One of those avenues is coaching. For the last two years D'Ovidio has coached the Football West NTC girls teams with great success at the national championships. With more time on her hands, she looks to continue down that pathway.

"I will definitely go ahead with my coaching still with the U15s NTC and the state teams. I will definitely keep pursuing football."

While all of that is in the not too distant future, the striker has her eyes focussed on the immediate future and this weekend's W-League Grand Final.

For a player who has the troughs of professional football with the Glory, there is a sense of satisfaction in having at least one shot at the biggest domestic prize in Australian women's football.

"We have obviously had our ups and downs and I think there has probably been more down seasons than up."

"But this season has just been amazing in every single way and that's credit to Jamie for recruiting some amazing players."

"How the team has bonded has just been incredible and that has shown in the results."

During her time D'Ovidio has played alongside some of the best players Australia has produced in recent times; Kate Gill, Lisa De Vanna, Collette McCallum, Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord to name a few.

Surrounded with that calibre of talent, the Perth native has tried to take advantage of the experience and guidance on hand.

"Kate Gill and Collette have helped me magnificently throughout the years."

"Katie pushes me quite a bit when we are on the field and even at training."

"Collette is the type of person you can just go to and have a quiet chat. Both those players balance out and they are great friends as well."

The W-League Grand Final will see Perth Glory match up against third placed Canberra United.

This season Canberra have been one of the few teams to severely challenge the Glory with the two splitting their Season 7 home and away series 1-1.

Despite losing to Canberra at last start (Round 12), D'Ovidio believes the Glory can overcome the former champions and join that exclusive premiership/championship club.

"Canberra are a strong side not doubt about that and they have some really key players."

"I think we just need to worry about ourselves and hopefully if we do that, then we will get the rewards."