Bend it like Jancevski: Victory recruit ready for GF
Alana Jancevski has a weapon of a left foot, Melbourne Victory in her blood and an A-League Women championship in her sights.
And she's adamant taking the hard road to the big stage with her hometown club has her ready to stand up when it counts.
The fiery full-back, a lifelong Victory fan, has become a key part of Jeff Hopkins' team that charged to Sunday's decider against Central Coast a AAMI Park with 10 consecutive wins amid a 15-game unbeaten run.
"It's what you dream of," Jancevski told AAP.
"I remember going there many years ago and watching grand finals there and just having that itch in your feet that you want it so much.
"To have the opportunity to do that now, I'm just super-excited and want to enjoy the moment.
"Even talking about it now, I'm getting goosebumps. So I just want to be out there, have such a good game and hopefully we can get the win."
The 22-year-old Melburnian played at Perth, then Adelaide, before getting her crack in navy blue.
Then, when Beattie Goad retired mid-season to focus on her medicine studies, Hopkins shifted the winger to left-back.
Jancevski has thrived, scoring five goals and assisting another three.
"As a footballer, going out of your comfort zone is really important," she said.
"My history with Perth and Adelaide has really helped with that.
"I learned a lot about myself firstly as a person. That's just translated into my football and my values and how much I really want it and that's shown this year.
"To finally get the chance (at Victory) and then for myself to take it, something I've always wanted, has been truly special."
Jancevski has made a name for herself with left-foot rockets that either nestle in the top corner, or force goalkeepers into saves that spill to a waiting teammate for a tap-in.
A Liverpool fan who wears Trent Alexander-Arnold's No.66, Jancevski had plenty of free kick inspiration growing up, namely Philippe Coutinho.
"Just his technique and how low he gets and the way he moves his ankles even when he takes it is what I've tried to replicate - he was so deadly from them," she said.
"As a kid, I've always been confident from set pieces, whether that be free kicks, corners, penalties.
"As I've grown and evolved, one thing that hasn't wavered is the confidence to do so.
"I really back myself and it's nice to be in a team that really backs me in those moments and we've got great players that can be around the ball if it falls short.
"I love trying it out and having a good time while doing it."
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