The adrenaline will be flowing when Football Wagga's junior leagues march into finals this weekend, none more so than in the inaugural under 12-14 girls competition.
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The four teams in potentially the most important age group in the league will all get a taste of finals action, including the competition frontrunners, Wagga United.
"They're super excited. For some of the girls it's their first season of competitive football and they've really enjoyed the focus on the results, as well as enjoying the football, and the opportunity to play towards something at the end of the season," Wagga United coach Daniel Harris said.
Football Wagga introduced the age group this season to try to bridge a gap between Mini Roos (up to under 11s) and seniors.
"I think it's great for the girls to have their own competition," Harris said.
"Between the ages of 12 and 16, I think that the girls have a right to be able to experience sport in their own right and to challenge each other without having to mix in with boys."
It's a sentiment shared by Tolland coach, and club president, Luke Wilson.
"It's a good thing that Football Wagga has put together to try and increase numbers into the senior women's. It's given the girls a pathway so they don't have to play with the boys," Wilson said.
"I've got one daughter that's super competitive. I've got another daughter that only wants to play against girls, she doesn't want to play against the boys, so it works out really well. It's fantastic, it's a step in the right direction for sure."
Wilson said Tolland is hopeful of fielding two teams in the age group next year.
But right now the focus for all four teams is on finals in what shapes as a fierce battle.
The unbeaten Wagga United finished on top after seven wins and two draws and take on second-placed Lake Albert for a spot in the grand final.
"Lake Albert's a really challenging team to play and I don't think at any time throughout the season that we felt like we've had the run on any of the teams," Harris said.
"All the teams have awesome players and everyone knows they're up for a big game at the weekend."
Jasmine Almator (10 goals), Ella Fairman (seven goals) and Miranda Harris (six goals) have led their scoring, reaping the rewards of a team led well by captain Ruby Holmes and defender Charlotte James.
"At the beginning of the season they decided to stand up and take that leadership position within the team and manage the culture of the team, making everyone feel happy and wanted," Harris said.
"I think it's their efforts that hold the team together when things are tough."
Harris said every game has been competitive, and the ladder can be deceiving. In all three games between first-placed Wagga United and the winless Henwood Park, it was a high-scoring shoot (6-4, 5-3 and 5-3).
United's two draws were against Tolland and Lake Albert. They've also had one big (11-4) against Lake Albert, and three narrow one-goal victories against Tolland.
"There's been games where we've been lucky and games where we've been skilful and played really well," Harris said.
"It's been a really good experience to work with the team. The girls are really enthusiastic and eager to learn and they get along really well - as a team and as friends.
"All the girls have their own skills and attributes that they bring naturally to the team, from their history of playing football, or not."
Tolland have had four wins, four losses and a draw. They'll take on Henwood Park in the elimination final.
For all teams, it's an age group where the combination between younger and older players is critical.
Wilson agrees that it's also been the most rewarding aspect for coaches.
"We've got girls this year that have never played before - we've encouraged them to come and play - and we've got girls who are leaps and bounds in front of others, so you've got the full spectrum of players," Wilson said.
"You have those older girls who are really good and they're helping develop the younger girls who are coming through."