Canberra United star Simone Charley needs less angel, more devil

The Canberra United winger was targeted by Western Sydney Wanderers last week and experienced first hand just how physical the W-League can be.

Charley has been a revelation for United, scoring four goals in her seven games.

It was clear the Wanderers picked her out for special treatment, with defender Courtney Nevin especially physical.

The referee didn't do Charley any favours and she could be in for more of the same when Canberra takes on Sydney FC at McKellar Park on Sunday.

"It was definitely very physical and that's something I have to add to my game as well - just being ready to throw a couple of elbows if I need to," she joked.

"It was definitely challenging."

It's a massive game for both sides - third-placed Sydney (15 points) are just one point off top spot, while United (10) are fifth and outside of the four on goal difference.

Both teams have played a game more than everyone else.

United are a young team and Charley said they needed to stretch their focus across the entire 90 minutes.

She's bought a mask for the smoke - something she's never experienced to the same extent before, despite California having bushfires.

Their clash with the Wanderers was almost called off last week, but they decided to play just 15 minutes before kick-off.

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"That's definitely been an adjustment. Everyone's telling me it's not normally like this," Charley said.

"But that's definitely been a concern, being able to smell the smoke.

"They have fires in California where the smoke will blow up and it's never been as bad as it's been here.

"I got a mask actually. That could be going too far maybe, but it's definitely a concern."

United are looking to bounce back from a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of the ladder-leading Wanderers.

They come up against a Sydney side that were beaten 5-0 by the Wanderers the week before.

Canberra captain Nikola Orgill said they would go in with confidence.

She said they would attack the visitors - as opposed to the more defensive mindset they took into the Wanderers game.

Charley will clearly be part of that with her pace down the right wing.

"We really want to make sure we can get some good offensive pieces going and really threaten their flanks, and put more pressure on them," Orgill said.

"For Wanderers we were very defensively focused and we just want to go for it, and we have the attacking prowess up front to go for the game.

"Every game's different and different teams match up completely differently.

"Last year we had some success against Sydney and I think they're a very good side and we can't take them lightly for sure.

"But we're also a good side this year and they'll probably be concerned about us as well."

W-LEAGUE ROUND 8

Sunday: Canberra United v Sydney FC at McKellar Park, 4pm.