No second thoughts: Gungahlin United recruit's move from Canberra Olympic pays off

The defender had gone from a grand final berth with Canberra Olympic to starting the premier league season from well below ground zero.

Gungahlin copped a hefty fine and were docked six points by Capital Football after the club failed to meet payment arrangements for an historic aged debt.

Coach Marcial Munoz expected his recruits to walk but former Olympic players McLachlan, Michael John and Jeremy Habtemariam stayed to help their new side defy the odds and reach the finals.

"I came over because I knew what Marcial was building was going to be something special," McLachlan said.

"We had no second thoughts because we knew Gungahlin had the quality to push for the finals.

"We've got a lot of young players looking to show what they can do in the competition, and experienced players who have won a few trophies."

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The trio will line-up against their former club when Gungahlin take on Olympic in a preliminary final clash at Deakin Stadium on Sunday.

Gungahlin will be licking their lips with an under-strength Olympic side, who are sweating on the fitness of leading goal-scorer Stephen Domenici.

The star striker came limping off the field with a calf-strain during their semi-final loss to Tigers FC and missed two of three training sessions this week. He returned to training on Thursday but coach Frank Cachia is yet to make a decision.

Olympic will also be without Nik Popovich after he copped a one-match suspension for receiving two yellow cards last week.

Cachia could promote Seb Woods from the bench to fill the gap or potentially bring players from the under-20's.

"We're working pretty hard to make sure we have the right balance of players in those positions," Cachia said.

"We're sure to give a good account of ourselves. Any flaw in any of our execution will be exposed by Gungahlin. We know what we're up against but at the same time, they do as well."

Gungahlin will be taking the field with a full-strength squad but midfielder Antoni Timotheou believes Olympic will be just as dangerous without Popovich.

"They've got talent all across the board even with some of their big players out," Timotheou said.

"Olympic have good players to fill their shoes while their back and midfield is strong.

"We're just preparing as normal because they're dangerous all over the park. They're our bogey team this year and we're hoping to change that."

Olympic have an unbeaten record against the Gunners this year and have their sights set on claiming the premiership double.

The winner will meet Tigers FC in a championship decider at Deakin Stadium next Saturday.

NPL CANBERRA

Preliminary final: Canberra Olympic v Gungahlin United at Deakin Stadium, Sunday 4.30pm