Why Canberra United coach Vicki Linton wants a longer W-League season

Linton's "young and inexperienced" outfit sprinkled with star power in the vein of Michelle Heyman and Kendall Fletcher are knocking on the door of a W-League finals appearance.

A top four finish would end the club's three-year finals exile, with Canberra's next test coming on a road trip to Newcastle to face the Jets on Saturday.

There has long been talk about extending the length of the W-League season or expanding the number of teams amid fear from some corners the competition could fall behind rival leagues.

Linton says the rise of Canberra's younger crop of players has been a massive boost for the club and suggests a longer season would aid her bid to make more inroads.

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"We have a young and inexperienced squad. You can just see how they've developed through this season, that's why it would be great to have a longer season so we can continue to build on that," Linton said.

"It's really pleasing to see them develop as a group, as individuals, and you're starting to see that with the performances on the field."

United have forged a reputation as a team that will scrap until the final whistle having risen into finals contention in a five-team race for the championship.

Canberra sat fourth leading into the fifth-placed Melbourne Victory's clash with the lowly Perth Glory at Dorrien Gardens on Tuesday night.

Now United have just two games left to force their way into the playoffs, with the Jets clash followed by a date with ladder leaders Sydney FC at Viking Park in the final round.

"It's all must-win games at this point, and for some reason that suits us a little bit but it is hard on the nerves during games," Linton said.

"We're well-placed. The Newcastle road trip is the toughest for us with the drive up to Newcastle. They've been coached really well and they've been playing really good as a unit, so it's going to be a tough game for us.

"They've fought every game, they've been close in every game and had some good performances from individuals and as a group. We need to be switched on and ready, and we need to give a good performance.

"After the first few rounds it looked like a five-horse race. Games in hand and who plays who is more important than where we currently sit, because what it means is must-win games."