The 23-year-old Canberra captain played a key role in her team’s unbeaten season, which culminated in the 3-2 win against Roar in front of 2512 fans at McKellar Stadium on Saturday.

Utility Brush, who last year became the first female to play in the Albury-Wodonga Football Association senior men’s grade, paid credit to her side after it held off the Roar.

“I can’t put it into words, it is amazing,” she said.

“We concentrated on our strengths with the ball on the ground and worked on our combinations like we have done all season.

“It was upsetting to concede those two goals which put us on the back foot but we were able to keep pushing and bring it home for the fans.”

A-League Golden Boot winner Michelle Heyman scored a double as United overturned the result against Roar in the inaugural grand final three years ago.

Heyman opened the scoring on 11 minutes after latching onto a pass from Ashleigh Sykes and beating keeper Casey Dumont.

She then turned provider for Sykes, who converted from close range after Grace Gill’s pass dissected the defence.

But Brisbane hit back through Matildas forward Emily Gielnik, who made it 2-1 after a low and hard first-time finish past United keeper Lydia Williams after being on the pitch less than a minute.

Heyman restored the two-goal buffer on 56 minutes after latching on to a powerful header from a corner for her 15th goal of the season.

Brisbane midfielder Tameka Butt scored the fifth goal of the game from the penalty spot but it was too little too late for the visitors.

Boomers FC women’s coach Steve Hayes yesterday paid tribute to Brush and Wagga export Sally Shipard, who starred in the middle of the park for Canberra.

“It was an outstanding season from Ellie,” Hayes said.

“Why she is not in the Matildas squad is beyond me.

“The other good performer yesterday was Sally Shipard.

“She’s always been able to step up and I think Ellie is the same.

“The greater the challenge the better they get.”

Hayes said Brush, who was unavailable for the club’s 2-1 cup final victory against Albury City in September, would play again with the AWFA club this season.