Sykes looking to take Canberra into the finals | TWG Sykes looking to take Canberra into the finals | TWG

The form of Ashleigh Sykes and her strike partner has been just one the reasons that Canberra find themselves right in finals contention.

A true pocket rocket, Sykes speed, quick feet and intelligent runs make her a handful for any defender and with this weekend's key game, she could just break Melbourne hearts.

Ashleigh congratulations on the victory on the weekend.  That puts Canberra in the Top 4.  It must be pleasing considering the slow start to the season.

Yeah, we started a bit slowly.  Thankfully the last few games, the second half of the season, we have really come together and put together some good performances.

We really needed to get the win on the weekend to put ourselves in finals contention and it was really pleasing we managed to get it

Can you put your finger on why you started so slowly and why its turned around?

I think at the start of the season we hadn’t really gelled as a team yet.  It took us a little while to used to each others playing style and the new competition.  Once we got that sorted out we really started to work together well and sorted out the formation and positioning.

It has all started to come together in the last couple of weeks.

United had great success last season but there appears to be a big turn over of players for the new season?

Yeah, we had a really different looking squad this year.  A lot of less experienced, but good players, and it was hard to look at the new season and see that we might go to the grand final again.

With Brisbane being strong again and Sydney really strong as well so we knew we had to be good.  It was all about trusting the people around you and the girls have done fantastically well this year.  They have really stepped up to the mark.

It all seemed to turn around for you after the 2- 2 draw with Perth.  Was that when the squad got some real self-belief?

I think so.  Those were our first points of the season so we gained some real confidence that we could come from behind.  It gave the team a lot of self belief that we could score as well and play well together especially in the tough conditions that were there.

That was really the turning point of our season.

One of the question marks about Canberra pre-season was whether you could score enough goals.  As a forward did you feel that pressure?

Yeah, it there was a little pressure, as we don’t have too many forwards in our squad.  Really no renowned goal scorers  and we had created a lot of chances but we just had not managed to put them away.

It’s been getting better recently.  It helps the confidence that once you get a few goals under your belt its easier to keep going with that.  It’s just had to take that first step forward.  It’s all about confidence and knowing that you can put the ball in the back of the net.

The partnership between yourself and Shu O Tseng is paying dividends.  How do you find playing with her and it you must have to find creative ways to communicate?

Yeah, it was really hard at the start of the season.  We just had to get that understanding going.  It’s easier now as her English has improved throughout the season and she is able to tell me a few things.

Mostly we communicate through hand signals and pointing where to go.  It was hard but it has been working well for us lately.  It’s lots of fun working with her.

Ashleigh, how are you finding your own form?  Are you enjoying your football?

I haven’t been in great form lately and its been hard to keep playing and enjoy.  When you’re not playing well it can be a bit hard to enjoy it.  I’m still working on it and there are still a lot of things I need to improve on and hopefully it just gets better as the season rolls on.

Have you and Nicole always played in the same team and how have you enjoyed that experience?

Yeah we have played together for most of our lives and it was always fun.  She would be on the left wing, I would be on the right wing or up front and we would always play and compete against each other.

We haven’t really played together as much these last few years but this season we have been consistently playing together and it has been good.

Ray Junna your coach always seems composed on the sidelines.  How have you found him as a new coach this season and during the tough start?

He’s a really different coach to what Robbie was.  They are both really good coaches but have different styles.

Ray has been really good in adding the technical aspect to the team and getting the skills up.  He has taught us to be calmer on the ball.  You have to get used to him as he is also very calm and quieter.  I’ve really enjoyed working with Ray.

How is the squad feeling about the final rounds?

I think we are feeling pretty confident.  Melbourne will be tough games as they have been playing well and they are the team we will be fighting with the get into the Top 4.

Adelaide have surprised have teams and so it will be tough.  We just have to keep fighting and hopefully it will all come together.