Carney has been the senior figure for an injury-hit team also dealing with the loss of Olympian Michelle Heyman and Matildas shadow player Catilin Cooper.

The Stingrays have been forced to reshuffle the line-up on a number of occasions this year, having lost Erica Halloway and Katelyn Leadbeater. 

A 1-nil loss to Macarthur Rams at JJ Kelly Park on Sunday means the Stingrays now face the top two teams – North West Sydney Koalas and Sydney University – to play in the finals series.

“Our destiny is still in our own hands,” Canvin said.

“It’s been hard, all the girls who have come into first grade have been stepping up, but Michelle has been outstanding.

“She’s seen the need to work hard and lead the team without some representative players available to us.

“It’s a big ask, but we’ll be up for it against some great teams.”

The Stingrays remain third on the ladder, but only on goal difference ahead of Manly.

Macarthur are now just two points adrift in fifth, with Marconi in sitch, four points behind the Rays.

Adding to the Stingrays difficult run in is the decision to move the Sydney Uni clash to Tuesday week.

Macarthur’s Leena Khamis came up with the winner, scored from a loose ball in the 18-yard box after a free kick. Canvin admits the loss to the Rams was tough to take on Sunday.

“It was a bit of a heartbreaker,” he said. “We had our chances and we were a bit unlucky to lose.

“We were really pushing in the second half, but just couldn’t come up with the goal.

“I certainly can’t fault their effort, we’ve just got to keep working and hopefully the results will come.”

Halloway was the Stingrays driving force, while Leadbeater’s anterior cruciate ligament injury has forced her out for the season.

The Stingrays will watch their Matildas teammate Heyman from afar in the coming weeks, as she chases an Olympics medal.

The Matildas lost 3-1 to host nation Brazil in an Olympics warm-up game  on Sunday morning (AEST).

However, they led 1-nil before Katrina Gorry was sent off in the second half.

The Australian team play Canada in Sao Paulo on August 3 in their first Olympics fixture, two days before the opening ceremony.

They then play Germany and Zimbabwe. Cooper missed out on Matildas selection, but remains in Brazil as a shadow player. 

“It’s a tough one for her,” Canvin said.  “Obviously she’d love to be playing over there and we’d love to have her if she isn’t.”