Matilda Alanna Kennedy has found a welcome distraction from the drama of Alen Stajcic's sacking in Sydney FC's W-League campaign.
The defender has spoken about her respect for Stajcic and his influence on her career shortly after his controversial sacking last month.
Since then Kennedy and her Sky Blue teammates have turned their attentions to on-field matters, securing a home grand final with a 2-1 semi-final win over Brisbane last weekend.
Stajcic went on a media blitz on Monday as his dispute with FFA rumbles on but Kennedy says the off-field dramas are not disrupting her preparations for Saturday's grand final against Perth Glory at Jubilee Stadium.
"It's definitely been a tough time and our personal relationships, that's something that's important to us as well," Kennedy told AAP.
"We've had the distraction of the W-League and football, for me personally, that's been my focus and I think that's been a nice distraction."
Kennedy's immediate concern is dealing with Matildas' teammate Sam Kerr in Saturday's decider.
The superstar forward took her tally for the W-League season to 16 goals with a hat-trick in the Glory's 4-2 extra-time semi-final win over Melbourne Victory last weekend.
Kerr scored twice to give the Glory a 2-1 win over Sydney in Perth in the two club's only meeting this season and Kennedy says there's no doubt she'll be a big focus of the Sky Blues' pre-match preparations.
"In the back of your mind you do now you're coming up against one of the best - if not the best - striker in women's football at the moment," Kennedy said.
"We already have that mentality going into the game and that should be enough for us to be prepared to be at our best.
"She's definitely someone we need to contain and we know that. It's something we've already thought about and will be thinking about in the game."