Australia look ahead to the Paris Olympics, having learnt valuable lessons from their previous international campaign at the Women’s World Cup last year.
The 18-person Olympic squad was announced in June and is set to face Germany, Zambia and the United States in Group B.
Key players
There are many familiar faces from past Olympic squads with over half of the players returning for their third Olympics representing Australia.
Captain and star striker, Sam Kerr, is noticeably out on injury following a rupture to her Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in January, at a Chelsea training camp.
In Sam Kerr’s absence, Michelle Heyman comes out of her near five-year retirement from international football to fill her boots and Steph Catley continues to fill in as captain.
Ellie Carpenter and Emily van Egmond have been named vice-captains and return to the green and gold for their third Olympics together.
A shock absence from the squad was Tottenham Hotspur defender, Charli Grant.
After filling in for Carpenter during the 2023 World Cup when she ruptured her ACL, Grant seemed to have made a lasting impression on manager, Tony Gustavsson.
Unfortunately, she failed to make the replacement permanent, with Carpenter making the Olympic roster ahead of her, despite her remarkable showing.
Grant’s name did warrant a place on the list of travelling reserves, however.
Olympic debuts
The squad boasts four Olympic debutants, Clare Hunt, Clare Wheeler, Cortnee Vine and Kaitlyn Torpey.
Wheeler became a force to be reckoned with in Everton’s midfield this season, despite their disappointing final position on the table.
She has 21 caps for her country, first making her debut in 2021 and later being named in the World Cup squad.
Vine has made her mark at Sydney FC this season, scoring 10 times in her 18 appearances for the club.
Not only have her efforts earned her a spot on the Olympic team but it has also been reflected in her signing for the North Carolina Courage last month.
Centre-back, Hunt, has played 13 times in the French Division One Féminine this season for second place, Paris St Germain.
In regards to her perspective on the upcoming Games she said: “It’s amazing to see the hype around.
As a whole Olympic Games, not necessarily just football but an Olympic Games in general – it’s pretty special for France and Paris to host that too, knowing how much it changed Australia hosting our [FIFA Women’s] World Cup [2023].
“I’m excited to have the experience of a home World Cup and a “home” Olympics in a way. I don’t think many people have that.”
For Torpey, this February was a standout, making her international debut for the Matildas and signing for NWSL side, the San Diego Wave.
In her impressive debut against Uzbekistan, she found the back of the net in the 22nd minute, proving that although she is the rookie this tournament, with just five caps to her name, her potential is not up for debate.
Management
Ahead of the Paris Olympics, Gustavsson has spoken about how this may be his last tournament with the Matildas, with his contract set to expire at the Games’s end.
He puts forward an experienced side, hoping to get their hands on Australia’s first ever Olympic title for women’s football.
The squad list:
Goalkeepers:
Mackenzie Arnold
Teagan Micah
Defenders:
Steph Catley
Alanna Kennedy
Clare Polkinghorne
Clare Hunt
Kaitlyn Torpey
Ellie Carpenter
Midfielders:
Kyra Cooney-Cross
Katrina Gorry
Tameka Yallop
Clare Wheeler
Cortnee Vine
Forwards:
Mary Fowler
Caitlin Foord
Michelle Heyman
Hayley Raso
Emily van Egmond
Travelling reserves:
Sharn Freier
Charli Grant
Courtney Nevin
Lydia Williams
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