BRUSH WITH GRAND FINALS
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- 2008 Canberra United FC 0-2 Brisbane Roar
- 2012 Canberra United FC 3–2 Brisbane Roar
- 2014 Canberra United FC vs Perth Glory
IF Ellie Brush is carrying the weight of Canberra United’s W-League hopes on her shoulders — perhaps, more accurately, her ankle — it’s not showing.
The former Boomer and AWFA star had the job last Saturday on the fleet-footed Melbourne Victory and international striker Lisa De Vanna in the semi-final of the women’s national soccer competition.
Brush had spent most of the week in rehab trying to overcome a serious ankle injury — in the end she played the entire game, all 120 minutes of it, including 30 minutes of extra time, to keep Victory scoreless. United went through to the grand final on penalties.
This week’s assignment doesn’t get any easier.
She is likely to be the defender sent to mark Perth Glory’s Kate Gill at Perth’s nib Stadium in the big one on Sunday.
"The ankle was pretty sore at the end of extra time, but it pulled up OK and now I’m just looking forward to Sunday."
- ELLIE BRUSH
The Matildas co-captain is the defending Golden Boot winner in the league and second on the all-time goal-scoring list for her country.
Brush admits it’s a big challenge.
“They are two very different players,” she said.
“Lisa has speed and can beat you with the ball at her feet, whereas Kate is much more physical.
“She is more a target player who Perth look for. They use her a lot in the air of course, with her height, and for the flick-on to their speedy wingers.
“All our defenders have to be aware of that, but we have been pretty successful double-teaming her this year.”
Brush said despite last week’s scare, her ankle would be fine for the grand final.
It will be the 26-year-old’s third grand final for Canberra, having tasted victory in 2012 and defeat back in 2008, both times as captain.
“The ankle was pretty sore at the end of extra time but it pulled up OK and now I’m just looking forward to Sunday,” Brush said.
“We certainly take a bit of confidence out of beating them the last time we met, but at the same time they were already in the finals and rested a couple of key players.
“Several of our girls were a part of the team that won in 2012 and that’s a bonus.
“In some ways I’m a bit of a veteran, having been here when it all started in 2008 and playing in the loss to the Roar that year.
“But I see it more of a leadership role — setting the standard by example by being competitive week in and week out.”
Brush, who played for Boomers for five years while studying physiotherapy at Charles Sturt University, believed the introduction of internationals and television exposure were driving an “exponential” lift in the standard of the W-League.
Fittingly in her last season on the Border, it was her header that gave Boomers the title over Albury City in 2012.
“The league is a vastly different competition to what it was when we first started six years ago,” she said.
“International players are adding an extra level of class and quality that is growing the standard of the league each year.
“Gone are the days where if you could kick you were on a team — it is far more demanding and the competition for spots is high so you need the whole package — the skills, fitness and physical attributes.”
Brush hasn’t given up hope of adding to her two Matilda caps at next year’s World Cup in Canada.
“I’ve been part of that extended squad on a regular basis and hope to be part of the call-up for the national squad camp when it’s announced in mid-January,” she said.
“Fingers crossed that my form in the W-League is taken into account and I’ve done enough to get the nod.
“But you couldn’t pick three tougher sides to play against in the group stage of the World Cup — drawn alongside the Olympic champion US team, fifth-ranked Sweden and African champions Nigeria.
“Like Sunday, it will be a tough ask but a great challenge.”