Michelle Heyman and Lisa De Vanna headline Canberra United - Melbourne Victory clash

Who would rise in the absence of the departed internationals has been the story of the 2020-21 season.

And that narrative is set to be played out when Canberra United meet Melbourne Victory at Epping Stadium on Sunday.

The round-10 clash with feature Heyman and De Vanna both on the W-League field for the first time in more than two years, with the veterans spearheading their teams upfront.

Heyman is on the cusp of taking back the W-League's all-time goal-scoring record, in the midst of what might be one of Australia's best sporting comebacks.

A fully-fit De Vanna, on the other hand, is dangerous to United's bid to end their longest finals drought - with the match result critical in shaping the ladder at the business end of the season.

Canberra has not finished in the W-League's top four since winning the 2016-17 premiership, when Heyman and De Vanna both played under Rae Dower.

The Junior Matildas coach is excited to see them back in the domestic competition, saying they bring character and experience to the relatively youthful league.

"As everyone was saying before the season, what is going to happen with all the Matildas being away? You've got some great personalities who have come back to our league, they're stalwarts of it too," Dower said.

"Michelle is on the cusp of wrestling back the all-time W-League scoring record, it was an awesome opportunity and privilege to coach Michelle in Canberra when she was in her heyday.

"Heyman in her heyday, just banging goals for fun. And then the opportunity with Lisa when she came to the club was a bit of a turning point in her career.

"It was an opportunity to get her back into a family environment, a football environment that cared about her as a person and wanted her to get herself back to her footballing best.

"Apart from the minor injuries she's had earlier this season, she certainly bounced back and is showing all the skill and dangerous qualities she's been known for in 15 years - not only the W-League but internationally as well.

"When she's got that pace and ruthless streak about her. She is very dangerous for the defence to keep out."

De Vanna, the Matildas' all-time leading goal-scorer, returned from a stint in Italy to continue her career in the domestic competition.

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Jeff Hopkin's outfit is unbeaten with the striker on field, with their two losses to Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City occurring when De Vanna was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

According to Dower, what sets the veterans apart is their history in the women's game - with their careers overseeing major developments in professional football.

"They're from a different era, they understand and appreciate how hard they've had to work individually to give themselves an opportunity to earn a career in football," Dower said.

"For all young players coming into a now professional environment, they have to take a look at Lisa and Michelle - all the sacrifices they've made and other players from their era in the league as well.

"It's a different era, wearing the badge and the jersey meant something a little bit different.

"They've got a great gratitude for the wonderful opportunity to be back and with younger players of the league. I think every now and then they might remind their younger teammates how easy they've got it and don't take it for granted because it is a privilege."

The Matildas exodus to Europe has also laid the foundations for new stars to emerge in the W-League, such as Canberra's Grace Maher who turned heads with her long-range strike in round three.

The midfielder said the Victory clash will demonstrate the strengths of the current season, with young players making their mark alongside the likes of Heyman and De Vanna.

"I think that's the story of the W-League this game," Maher said.

"You have some exceptional youth that have put their foot down and have been contenders for the future. Then you've got two Matildas still in contention with the performances they've put out.

"They've come back to be bosses in the league and making sure those young ones don't get too comfortable."

W-LEAGUE ROUND 10

Sunday: Melbourne Victory v Canberra United at Epping Stadium, 4.05pm.

Canberra United team list: 1. Keeley Richards (gk), 2. Emma Ilijoski, 4. Kendall Fletcher (c), 5. Lauren Keir, 6. Bianca Galic, 7. Rachael Goldstein, 8. Laura Hughes, 9. Demi Koulizakis, 10. Grace Maher, 12. Hayley Taylor-Young, 13. Paige Satchell, 15. Jessika Nash, 18. Isabella Foletta, 19. Nicki Flannery, 20. Sasha Grove, 22. Sally James (gk), 23. Michelle Heyman. *one to be omitted.

Melbourne Victory team list: 1. Gabby Garton (gk), 2. Tiffany Eliadas, 3. Claudia Bunge, 4. Natalie Martineau, 7. Kyra Cooney-Cross, 8. Angela Beard, 9. Catherine Zimmerman, 10. Annalie Longo, 11. Lisa De Vanna, 13. Polly Doran, 14. Melina Ayres, 15. Amy Jackson, 17. Maja Markovski, 18. Kayla Morrison, 19. Lia Privitelli, 20. Mel Maizels (gk), 30. Melinda J Barbieri. *one to be omitted.

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