There is no denying the events of the past week have been distracting but come kick-off on Saturday only championship glory with Melbourne City will be on Rhali Dobson's mind.
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The East Maitland 27-year-old and Newcastle's Emily van Egmond are in City's squad taking on defending champions Sydney FC at AAMI Park in the W-League grand final. It will be played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus outbreak.
"It's a very unusual feeling," Dobson said. "I honestly think it's affecting everyone a little bit because we know it's going to be a different type of grand final in terms of behind closed doors.
"There's not going to be a crowd and crowds can be beneficial in grand finals and big games because it's all based on emotion and they can help out in that regard ... but obviously we're excited, it's a grand final. I'm excited."
Dobson was recruited by Melbourne City for their 2017-18 season after being let go by the Newcastle Jets.
The move paid dividends for the attacker with City winning their third straight grand final that year. The championship success was bookended for Dobson by grand final wins in Herald Women's Premier League with Merewether in 2017 and 2018.
City missed out on finals by goal difference last season but have been virtually untouched on their way to the minor premiership and grand final this campaign.
While they cruised into the championship decider with a 5-1 win over Western Sydney, the Sky Blues progressed in a thrilling 1-0 defeat of Melbourne Victory.
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With a host of Matildas and international talent on board they finished 11 points clear of any other team and only dropped points in an opening round draw with the Jets.
To not play this weekend would have been devastating.
"There were a lot of questions around whether it was going to be played and everything was getting cancelled left, right and centre, so I'm glad they're going ahead with it in any shape or form," Dobson said.
"It's a good way to finish off the season because we'd hate to have such an invincible season, as everyone is calling it so far, and then not be able to hopefully put a cherry on top."
A traditional W-League winger , Dobson has become somewhat of "a versatile player" for City coach Rado Vidosic this season.
"It was a different role this year yet again but that's part and parcel of every competition and you just embrace it and make the most of it," Dobson said.
"We've got the minor and fingers crossed we can do a major as well. Grand finals, in Australia in particular, are what we all fight for. That's the ultimate one. As we say in Australia, because it's different across the world, but no one really remembers the minor premier. They always remember who holds that big trophy in the end, so ultimately we want to do that."
The game kicks off at 3.30pm and will be televised.