She is only 17 but Karly Roestbakken is determined to guide Canberra United back to a throne reserved for the W-League's most successful club.
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Roestbakken has long been touted as one of Australia's brightest young talents and she has been turning heads in the W-League since she was a nervous 15-year-old.
United are set to unveil two more youngsters who will usurp Roestbakken as the club's youngest player before the season begins - but that only makes her experience more valuable as the club looks to snap Melbourne City's stranglehold on the title.
The only player that has been on Canberra's books for longer is 19-year-old Nickoletta Flannery, who is entering her fourth season with United.
Now Roestbakken wants to take back what was once Canberra's when United host three-time reigning W-League champions Melbourne City in a blockbuster season opener at McKellar Park on October 28.
"It’s a bit weird, because I’m still quite young, but you could [almost] say I have been there for the longest amount of time even though it is only my third season," Roestbakken said at the Canberra Summer of Women's Sport launch.
"Even though I’m only 17 I have a little bit of experience under my belt, but I definitely think with the older players in there, it’s going to help.
"We’ve got a really good vibe going on in the team. I’m really excited with what Heather [Garriock] is producing this season and the teammates she has brought in.
"We’re gelling really well and we just can’t wait to get out there for the first game against Melbourne City."
But first on Roestbakken's radar is a Young Matildas appearance after she was named in Gary van Egmond's 23-player squad to travel to Lebanon for the 2019 AFC under 19 women’s championship qualifiers.
The Young Matildas will depart on Friday and should they negotiate their way through the first qualification tournament against Lebanon, Hong Kong, and Mongolia, they will advance to the second round next April.
From there, a spot in the AFC under 19 women’s championship is up for grabs - where a place at the 2020 FIFA U20 World Cup will be on the line.
But Roestbakken already has her eye on bigger things.
"Young Matildas is a great experience but you’re always striving to reach your goal, my goal is playing for the Matildas," Roestbakken said.
"Having a taste with Young Matildas, and having Gary as head coach with him being assistant coach of the Matildas, it really helps me and gives me an extra spark to reach that goal.
"It’s always exciting being called into the Young Matildas or any national team environment, it’s really exciting to be able to pull on that jersey and be able to represent your country.
"Having two of the other girls [Aofie Colvill and Sarah Morgan] who I am really close with coming overseas with me, it’s just really great. It gives a boost to not only me but everyone in Canberra as well.
"It shows Canberra is a really great squad and there is great players."
CANBERRA UNITED'S DRAW (home games in bold)
October 28: Canberra United v Melbourne City at McKellar, 4pm
November 4: Canberra United v Perth Glory at McKellar, 4pm
November 17: Newcastle Jets v Canberra United at Newcastle, 7.30pm
November 22: Adelaide United v Canberra United at Coopers Stadium, 7.30pm
December 2: Canberra United v Sydney FC at McKellar, 4pm
December 7: Western Sydney Wanderers v Canberra United at Spotless Stadium, 5.20pm
December 22: Melbourne City v Canberra United at AAMI Park, 5pm
December 27: Canberra United v Brisbane Roar at McKellar, 7.30pm
January 3: Perth Glory v Canberra United at Dorrien Gardens, 8.30pm
January 13: Canberra United v Adelaide United at McKellar Park, 4pm
January 17: Canberra United v Melbourne Victory at Seiffert Oval, 7.30pm
January 25: Brisbane Roar v Canberra United at Suncorp Stadium, 5.20pm
