Vicki Linton finds a platform from which Canberra United can rebuild in W-League tilt

The club's first finals appearance in four years, Michelle Heyman's records, Kendall Fletcher's comeback and the debuts handed to some of the game's most promising young talents.

But it's a name that sneaks under the radar that shows United are on the right track as they look to ensure a return to the top four was no flash in the pan.

Lauren Keir is a product of the Canberra pathway who earned her debut little more than two years ago.

But under Linton the former Belconnen FC skipper flourished and became a regular starter for United in the W-League. Appearances in the league's team of the week were anything but foreign.

MORE SPORT

And in a landscape that sees players sign contracts for one season at a time, the emergence of a local junior from the city's own junior ranks bodes well for Canberra's long-term future.

"Players who have been in the squad taking a step up and having to take the responsibility of being a starting player, we've had a few of those," Linton said.

"We've got a lot of Canberra locals, and that is something the club is really proud of, and something the Canberra community is really proud of.

"If we look at the success stories of this year, we had seven players make their W-League debut.

"Michelle Heyman came back from retirement and had a record-breaking season, she played her 100th game for Canberra and took the W-League leading goal scorer record back, she had 10 goals in a season which is phenomenal.

"We had Kendall Fletcher coming back from an ACL injury at 36 and still being an outstanding player. We had Clare Hunt return from injury and be able to get back on the park.

"We had Nicki Flannery and Grace Maher returning to the club and sharing their 50th W-League cap together, that's a special moment. Even [Chantel Jones] coming back and getting a game."

So it becomes clear that a 3-0 loss to Sydney FC in a semi-final does not make this campaign a failure.

Instead it is the platform from which Canberra can rebuild, with officials pondering the make-up of next year's fixture.

United's squad enjoyed one final session together on Wednesday morning before parting ways.

"As soon as we know a timeframe on when the season will start, following this I'll do a review with other staff and the club to take account of what we've done and what our next step is for next season," Linton said.