Priestman: We will give everything to make the city proud

by Tayla O’Brien (11/10/26)

Above: Wellington Phoenix head coach Bev Priestman leads training last season. Image : Guardian.

With a new season fast approaching Wellington Phoenix head coach Bev Priestman has made it clear that there’s still room for improvement in her team after last year’s grand final defeat.

The Grand Final heartbreak has given the team more drive and determination ahead of season 26/27.

Pre season has looked positive at the Phoenix where the club secured top signings such as Milly Clegg, Abby Erceg, Kam Pickett, Indiah-Paige Riley and Matildas legend Tameka Yallop, all of whom add experience, depth, and versatility into the squad. These players will play key roles in Wellington’s season.

With new faces to the squad there’s more to fight for each week. “Everyone has come back with a point to prove,” Priestman stated when talking about the team.

“There is more of a competition to get that starting spot and everyone has become more hungry for that spot and to establish themselves more. Managing the squad will be harder with a large squad and with multiple players coming back throughout this season.”

Above: Wellington Phoenix in training during pre-season. Photo: Tayla O’Brien/Tayla’s Film.

Priestman has to carefully manage game time, player fitness, rotation and making sure players are kept fresh and ready. The start of the new season will be about finding that balance.

Injuries will make a massive impact with the match week one squad with Alyssa Whinham and Samba still recovering from their ACL injuries while CJ Bott is coming back after having her baby, and new signing Kam Pickett is also recovering from an injury. Milly Clegg is also a touch and go for after a quad injury but is progressing well. Other players are also being assessed with more clarity expected closer to the match.

At the start of pre-season, Priestman and the Phoenix went to a Marae for a team experience with the New Zealand Army, this camp was much more than fitness. This camp helped the players become more open and vulnerable to each other and made them learn about leadership and communication under pressure. “I saw things in people I didn’t know were there,” Priestman admitted.

The camp was important as the Phoenix head coach wants the players to enjoy themselves despite the pressure and expectations and doesn’t want the season to feel tight.

Priestman wants to make sure the team can express themselves and enjoy their football while also bringing the city on the journey with them again.

This season isn’t just about results ; it’s about representing the city and club positively.

“We will give everything we have to make the city proud.” Priestman emphasised.

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Uninspired Matildas fall to Germany

Above: The Matildas line up against Germany October 10. Image: Football Australia.

Germany 4-2 Australia

By Genevieve Henry (10/10/26).

The Matildas were outclassed by Germany Saturday morning at BBBank Wildpark in Karlsruhe, falling 4-2 in a high-scoring and defensively poor match.

After a MD-1 press conference where head coach Joe Montemurro said preparing for the 2027 World Cup did not mean putting out the best team, he chose a team reflecting the opposite sentiment. While they certainly did not perform like the best lineup, it included all the most experienced players, no surprises, and no players with much to learn about.

From kickoff, Australia’s stars got caught watching the game. They played with reluctance, hesitance, and a lack of belief.

Germany opened the scoring in the 24th minute off some beautiful build-up play. After slick passing from the midfield, Carlotta Wamser crossed the ball to Franziska Kett, who headed it across the face of goal. Mackenzie Arnold got a hand to the ball, but Melissa Kössler barreled it in to put Germany ahead. It was her first goal for her country.

Kössler doubled the score in the 30th minute with a belter on the break. It was Australia’s passing that let them down, in finally building momentum and throwing too many players up the field. Germany’s attack took advantage of their numbers and speed, but Kössler even beat the two defenders in the way. 

Arnold should have done better on both goals. The defense looked lost and struggled to effectively clear the danger and communicate. The Matildas were sloppy; every bounce and stray ball went the way of Germany, who hustled and moved faster in all phases of play.

But there were rare periods when the Matildas looked competent, good, even. With quick passes often involving Ellie Carpenter or Sam Kerr, they found promising attacks. These forward moves caused issues in the first half; the second they lost the ball, Germany were on the break again.

It was Carpenter and Kerr who combined to pull one back in the final moments of the first half. Carpenter pulled off an incredible run and perfect cross to Kerr, who directed it in the back of the net with a world class finish.

While the first half finished only 2-1, it felt like 3-0. Kerr’s goal was crucial in the momentum of the game. The Matildas built into the match for a far more competitive second half.

Clare Wheeler had a shot that was tantalizingly close to an equalizer ten minutes into the second half. The tenacity of the Matildas made the game far more tense than in the first half as they searched for an equalizer.

Montemurro injected some fresh faces into the match after the 60th minute, bringing on Holly McNamara, Alana Murphy, Leticia McKenna, and Courtney Nevin for Kerr, Emily Van Egmond, Amy Sayer, and Steph Catley. Only Kerr made much of an impact on the field. Catley had some moments she would want to take back, especially in the lead-up to Germany’s opener.

The substitutes, particularly McNamara, contributed to Australia’s flowing chances. Siemsen got five minutes towards the end and Tori Tumeth made her Matildas debut.

While Australia’s forward motion was positive, they could not perfect the positioning. Too many players rushed up the field when on the attack, and none left behind were fast enough to deal with Germany’s many potent threats.

Camilla Küver put the nail in the coffin in the 83rd minute, heading in off a corner after a period of attacking momentum from Germany. While the score seemed hopeless, the Matildas weren’t done.

McNamara finally got her goal in the 90+2 minute. She was by far the most effective substitute, perhaps even the most effective player. Her speed and relentless running created problems for Germany. Unfortunately, her goal couldn’t inspire any late-game miracles.

In fact, it only invigorated the Germans. Sjoeke Nüsken wasted no time in restoring Germany’s two-goal lead, smashing the ball past Arnold to make the final score 4-2 in the 90+4 minute.

Friendlies are supposed to be learning opportunities. All we seemed to learn is that Australia’s most experienced players looked uninspired and lifeless against one of the best teams in the world. Only Kerr and Carpenter seemed to show up. Substitutes provided sparks of creativity and positive signs for the future.

This result would be easier to bear if not for the players involved. If Montemurro had utilized more of his squad and given newer players a chance to play at the level, the score wouldn’t matter. There are only four more international windows until the World Cup. If they continue like this, Australia will struggle to make the knockout rounds.

The Matildas take on Haiti next Wednesday 14 Oct, 6.00AM AEST. 

Lineups: GERMANY: Mahmutovic, Wamser, Minge, Küver, Kett, Senß, Nüsken, Brand, Zicai, Buhl, Kössler. Substitutes: Anyomi, Baum, Dallmann, Dick, Freigang, Johannes, Kleinherne, Linder, Müller, Zähringer.

Scorers: Kössler 23′, 30′. Küver 83′, Nüsken 90+4′.

AUSTRALIA: Arnold, Carpenter, Heatley, Catley, Torpey, Wheeler, Van Egmond, Sayer, Raso, Kerr, Foord. Substitutes: Nevin, Rankin, Davidson, Lincoln, Chidiac, Murphy, Newbon, McKenna, Grant, Lowry, McNamara, Siemsen, Tumeth, Apostolakis, Galic. 

Scorers: Kerr 45+2′, McNamara 90+2′.

Referee: Olivia Tschon (AUT).

Attendance: 26,352.

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Montemurro: “Building for June isn’t just putting our best team out there”

Above: Matildas head coach Joe Montemurro speaks to the media at the MD-1 press conference. Image: Football Australia.

By Monica Clarke (9/10/26).

Matildas head coach Joe Montemurro and goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold spoke about the squad and World Cup preparations ahead of their Germany and Haiti matches in Europe in the upcoming week.

Australia are playing three teams of very different styles in the upcoming matches against Germany, Haiti and Colombia.

“We strategically started looking at our build up for the World Cup straight after the Asian Cup,” Montemurro said.

“In the next 4 games we’re gonna get a real tool box of ideas that we need to be exposed to and more importantly that we’ve seen before and we can use to make sure that we’re prepared in June,” Montemurro said.

Montemurro shared his excitement in bringing new players into the team in the lead up to the 2027 World Cup, not just starting players but players that can come on and hold a win and players that can be game changers off the bench. Hana Lowry, Tori Tumeth and Courtney Newbon are the new faces in camp.

“It’s great that we can, against one of the best teams in the world, trial those ideas and have a look at some players that potentially could be in our squad in June,” Montemurro said.

“We’ve noticed that the levels and the standards, especially from a technical perspective, have been very very important and very very high,” Montemurro said. “No one comes into camp not understanding that the standards for us from a technical, a physical and even a mental perspective has to be of a high standard. We’re only seeing positive things.”

“You’ve got a Dani Galić who’s going fantastic; Alana Murphy, she’s been brilliant at Forest; Hana Lowry at Vålerenga who’s really really come a long way,” Montemurro said. “They’re names which I want you to remember because I really do believe that they’re gonna be the next generation of midfielders. Look I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about the amount of midfielders, and talented midfielders that we have in Australia and I think that needs to be a starting point for us.”

Montemurro said Kyra Cooney-Cross, Mary Fowler, Clare Hunt and Katrina Gorry missing the international camp brought about the opportunity for these fresher faces to get experience.

“Part of the process of building for June isn’t just putting our best team out there and playing all the time,” Montemurro said. “It’s also about the mental freshness, it’s also about the approach from a strategic scenario to understand that they need to juggle their clubs also. For us it’s all been positive in terms of our squad.” 

Mackenzie Arnold is the most experienced goalkeeper in the squad by a mile, without keepers like Lydia Williams and Teagan Micah who have been alongside her in the past.

“Chloe’s (Lincoln) been absolutely unreal, the way she’s come in and the way she’s developed already as well,” Arnold said. “She’s honestly gone from strength to strength in such a short time so it’s been really cool to see. Even Courtney coming in, we’ve only had a couple of sessions but from what I’ve seen she’s a really good goalkeeper so it’s really exciting and I think a really good opportunity for the young ones coming through. It’s nice to see their growth and their potential as well.”

“I wouldn’t say we really take any game as a friendly to be honest,” Arnold said. “I think every game is really important, especially around this time leading into the World Cup. Germany is a top side and same with Haiti.”

Arnold states some of the expectations the team has, as well as expectations she has as a goalkeeper: “They’re a very aggressive team, they’re a high pressing team, as a goalkeeper I’m definitely gonna have a lot more of the ball with my feet. Everyone knows what a high quality team they are and I think it’s going to be very good and very important for us to come up against a team like that.”

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PREVIEW ANALYSIS | How will Carla Ward replace pair of midfield stars?

by Alyce Collett (8/10/26)

Above: Marissa Sheva (right, hugging #21) and Denise O’Sullivan (#10) will be sorely missed from the Republic of Ireland’s starting midfield tomorrow against Kazakhstan, but who may be the ones to replace them? Photo: Brian Lawless/PA.

This window sees the beginning of an important what will hopefully be quartet of matches for the Republic of Ireland to round out 2026 and the team’s quest to qualify for a second consecutive World Cup.

That quest begins tomorrow in the Kazakh capital Astana as the Girls in Green set to do battle with world number 100 Kazakhstan in a two leg tie in round one of UEFA’s World Cup playoffs.

These kind of potentially lopsided ties – the Irish are 21st in the world rankings and are unlikely to be troubled by the Kazakhs – do not normally lend themselves to many intriguing questions in the build up as the result is much easier to predict than other matches.

However, the Irish do have one area of intrigue for fans heading into particularly tomorrow’s match – how will manager Carla Ward fill the gaps in her starting line up left by missing key stars, particularly in the midfield.

What is the problem facing Carla Ward?

Of the big names missing from the Republic of Ireland squad for this first match of the tie, the highest number of them are midfielders.

Above: Carla Ward does certainly have an annoying headache on her hands ahead of match one of the Republic of Ireland’s playoff tie with Kazakhstan. Credit: Ireland Football.

Marissa Sheva and Denise O’Sullivan are both core members of the starting line up for the Girls in Green these days under Ward. However, Sheva will be missing this first leg due to suspension and O’Sullivan did not travel to Astana for reasons of player welfare.

This means that there is two spots to fill in what is normally a three person midfield in the starting line up, with those incoming likely to team up in front of Megan Connolly who is expected to play her usual defensive midfield role.

What would have likely been will not be

Recent history would have suggested that Jess Ziu would have been one of the ones to fill one of those available spots in the starting line up as she has been the one that Ward has regularly gone to as an impact substitution off the bench.

However, just in the last 24 hours or so the Leicester City star has been ruled out of at least leg one with injury, and may also be ruled out of the return leg in Cork next week, so this means that it will not be her that starts tomorrow afternoon.

Is a Burnley star the key to replacing O’Sullivan?

O’Sullivan is the kind of player that is nye on impossible to fully replace. Her leadership and experience combined with the way she plays the game and the impact she has on those around her means that when she is not in the side it is quite noticeable.

However, there is one player in the Irish squad for this window that may be able to play a similar role to the legendary Leesider.

Tyler Toland has had a rocky few years in terms of establishing a settled place in Irish squads and getting minutes on the field at international level, but likes to play football in much the same way as O’Sullivan.

Both players are tough, no nonsense players who are not afraid to break open the midfield in their team’s favour, and with the way that proceedings become much easier with that type of player on the pitch, that could work in Toland’s favour.

Would Ward really include an uncapped player in the starting line up?

Among the midfielders in the Irish squad for this window are a pair of uncapped players – Watford’s Aoibheann Clancy and Shanade Hopcroft from Crystal Palace.

Both players are worthy of their places in the squad, but putting an uncapped player into your starting line up is unheard of these days, so it is unlikely that the spots will be filled by either of them.

However if game one goes to plan or is going swimmingly by perhaps halfway through the second half, there is no reason to rule out either of them getting some minutes off the bench.

What about Jamie Finn and Lucy Quinn?

All of this leaves two more potential options – Jamie Finn and Lucy Quinn.

Finn has been getting some solid minutes for her club side Burnley in the first part of the Women’s Super League 2 (WSL2) season – playing just about every minute possible thus far – but she has not got any minutes at international level this year despite being in the game day squad for every game.

However this is the first window since the beginning of the current WSL2 season so that previous history at international level may prove to not be a precedent after all.

Quinn meanwhile has also been getting good minutes for Sheffield United – officially only one more than Finn – but when it comes to international level she does not play a midfield role despite being officially listed as a midfield on squad announcements from the FAI. She normally plays as an outside wing alongside players like Kyra Carusa and Emily Murphy, but with those two and the likes of Abbie Larkin having a firm grip on the starting positions in the front line, perhaps a position change to a central attacking midfielder behind Carusa could a role for Quinn to fill.

Above: Shanade Hopcroft (front) may be in her first international camp with the Republic of Ireland, but is her first cap less than 24 hours away? Credit: Ireland Football.

In conclusion…

There are plenty of potential answers, and not a lot of time left to find out which way Ward will go. Ward has kept her cards very close to her chest, so only time will tell what decision she will end up making.

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Lowry & Grant use Scandinavian move as springboard to Matildas call

by Monica Clarke (7/10/26)

Above: Hana Lowry talks to the media ahead of the forthcoming international window with the Matildas. Image: Football Australia.

Hana Lowry and Charli Grant outlined today how their moves to Scandinavian football were vital in their call-up to the Matildas camp for the forthcoming games against Germany and Haiti matches.

Lowry is attending her first Matildas camp after an ACL tear forced her to miss her first call-up in November 2024. Grant returns to camp after a knee injury and a lack of minutes that has had her out of the international squad since the end of 2025. 

Western Australian Lowry emphasised how her move to Vålerenga in April, has been a positive all round.

“It’s been great so far, the team’s been so welcoming for me, all the staff and everyone and really enjoy living in Oslo,” she said.

The 23-year-old also shared how her experiences at the Toppserien club have prepared her for coming into The Matildas national team set up for the first time.

“I think it’s prepared me really well, the professionalism at the club is really top and the level of the football being played and in training and everything, it’s super competitive.”

“It’s set me up really well, I feel really well supported at the club. So coming in here, they were all very happy for me.”

As one of the new additions to the national team, the midfielder revealed what the first training session was like: “It was nice, obviously the nerves were there but it was good to get the first one done. It was a good session, just getting some touches on the ball again. Just seeing the level of the training was really cool.”

This is not the first time Lowry has been called up to join the Australian national team, however back in November 2024 when the Perth native received her first call-up, she tore her ACL just one day before she was supposed to enter the international camp.

The former Perth Glory and Sydney FC star reflected on what that experience was like.

“Obviously it was tough, no footballer wants to do their ACL so that was really tough news to take and then the timing of it being the day before going into camp, that was difficult. Mentally you go from such a big high to such a big low really quickly.” 

Lowry describes this current moment of being re-called into the national team as the moment that has motivated her: “I think it was probably the biggest motivation for me through my rehab was hoping to get another chance here.” 

Above: Charli Grant is in strong form with Malmö and back in the Matildas squad after a year. Image: Football Australia.

Also back in the saddle with the Matildas is Charli Grant. Fresh from a series of impressive performances with Malmö FF, the defender Grant discussed the significance of this move after she struggled with a lack of minutes at her previous club Tottenham Hotspur. 

“It’s been definitely a great preparation for coming back in the Matildas environment, just getting the minutes I’ve needed for a very long time has been great preparation for me coming back in here, just to be confident, to know that I’m back playing ready to give my all to the team.” 

The two games over the next week is part of the Matildas’ preparations for next year’s World Cup, and the 25-year-old believes that Germany and Haiti’s differing challenges are an important test.

“Of course every camp leading up to the World Cup is important, we don’t get a huge amount of time together. We just try and make the most of every opportunity we can.”

In terms of what she needs to do in order to ensure she re-establishes herself as a Matildas regular, Grant revealed that, for her it’s all about “Focusing on what I can improve on in each game that I play in my clubland and when I get here into this national team environment, it’s using the staff around me to see what I do need to develop, how I can contribute to the team more and just a lot of reevaluation after each week.”

A knee injury and a lack of minutes at her previous club Tottenham Hotspur has contributed to her lack of appearances in the national team and at the Asian Cup back in March. 

“It was very unfortunate timing of my knee injury, but at the same time I felt fortunate to have not been a worse injury, at the time I thought it was.

“I thought that I might be able to come back in time for the Asian Cup but with no minutes, I wouldn’t have been able to give what I wanted to the team. That was really disappointing cause it would have been amazing to be at another home tournament, but I was definitely the biggest supporter.” 

“It was a very difficult time, I didn’t actually get a return to play at Tottenham, so my first game was just when I moved to Malmö. I’m just really happy to be playing again and to be back with the girls now.”

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Anderson & Peters: The vibes are good and we’re ready for the season ahead

by Ben Gilby (7/10/26)

Above: Perth Glory central defender Mischa Anderson looks ahead to the forthcoming A-League Women season. Image: Perth Glory.

Positivity is high in the Perth Glory camp as they prepare for their final pre-season outing ahead of the A-League Women’s big kick-off in 10 days time.

The Western Australian side go into the new campaign with four new signings – Ella Buchanan, Maggie Jenkins, and locally produced Junior Matilda Sakura Leong joined by Baxter Thew who returns home from Central Coast Mariners.

Additionally, another trio of teen starlets Theodora Mouithys, Daisy McGreadie-Cole and Hayley Muir have come in under YDA contracts.

Head coach Stephen Peters and defender Mischa Anderson emphasised the benefit of having 14 of last season’s squad return – with the experience of Izzy Dalton, Susan Phonsongkham, and Megan Wynne vital, alongside another season in goal for the hugely impressive Theresa Morrisey.

“I’m very happy. It’s great to come in with so many familiar faces, so we’ve picked up where we left off in many ways, and the new additions have been really good, adding some quality for us,” Peters said.

Anderson added: “Keeping our returning players has been a positive, and slotting in the new arrivals and giving them our identity and an idea of the way we want to play is what we’ve been (focusing on).

“Our pre-season has been super smooth as we’ve retained lots of girls, and they know how to play well together, and that’s a positive we have got.”

However, on the negative side of the ledger, the Glory have lost a number of key players from last season, with the likes of Naomi Chinnama, Sarah O’Donoghue, Nat Tatham, Tijan McKenna, and Grace Johnston all moving to pastures new. Those are big holes to fill, but Peters believes he has the players at his disposal to do so.

“The new additions have added quality. We’re in a better position than we have been in terms of people being able to step into those roles (when players are injured) which we saw at the back end of last season with a couple of key personnel out.”

In terms of preparation, Peters has faced the eternal conundrum of how to integrate players with differing loads into pre-season training with some coming off the back of a full NPLW season, and others not having played since the end of the previous A-League Women season.

“The ones who have played NPL and have not brought an injury in have brought a good chronic loading, so you can pick up where they have left off in that sense, which is great. The other ones (who have not played NPL), you have to build them up more slowly, and be more careful with them, but we have fantastic medical staff that do that for us.”

Above: Perth Glory head coach Stephen Peters reflects on how pre-season has gone so far. Image: Perth Glory.

Looking ahead more widely to the battles to come, Anderson, who has played her NPLW football in Victoria with Heidelberg United during the off season, believes it will be from that state where the biggest challenge will come from in 2026/27 as she was asked to name her would-be champions.

“Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory. They both have great set ups and facilities. They have brought in some great recruits so I am expecting them to be up the top…and Perth Glory! There’s been a lot of movement around the league, so I think it will be a tight race around the top.”

In order for the Glory to make Finals for the first time in eight seasons, the keys will be a laser like focus on a game plan that takes into account opponents specific strengths, and improving on their ability to score goals.

Last season, the club managed just 20, with only the bottom two clubs Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC scoring fewer goals as the Western Australian side fell four points short of the top six.

Peters believes that the situation will improve this time round.

“The signs are good, so far in training and in the practice matches that we’ve had. I think we’ve found a good combination there. It’s important that players don’t think about that (scoring record) too much and just back themselves and express themselves as they do in training and the goals will come, definitely.”

The Glory go into the final pre-season game this weekend against a Western Australian State XI who won the fixture between the two sides last season.

Anderson recognises that the game is a unique challenge against a group of talented players with everything to prove and nothing to lose.

“We can’t take the state team lightly, they have got lots of ex (Perth Glory) players, and lots of players who want to prove themselves against us.”

The Glory head coach knows what to expect, but also emphasised the fact that the game is a last chance to formulate his starting line-up for the season opener against Newcastle Jets on 17th October.

“I’ve watched a lot of NPL, and by all accounts they have got quite a good side, an experienced side, but we’re pretty keen to put that result from last season to rights.”

“You want to give the players who you think have an opportunity to be earmarked for Round One an opportunity to be out there together, but equally you want to give everyone to have an opportunity to be selected for Round One, so it’s a bit of a balancing act.”

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Ellie Carpenter is adding another dimension to her game

Above: Ellie Carpenter defends against Mexico in June. Image: Genevieve Henry for Impetus Football.

Chelsea defender Ellie Carpenter has started her second Barclays Women’s Super League season with a bang.

Technically, she is still playing her preferred position at right back. However, Carpenter has increasingly resembled a winger for the Blues.

At Chelsea, that attacking freedom is paying off. The question for the Matildas is whether Carpenter’s comfort in the final third could translate to the international stage.

Formation

Australia almost exclusively plays with four defenders. Whether the back four features Carpenter, Clare Hunt, Wini Heatley, Steph Catley or another combination of the Matildas’ newly deep defensive pool, only one is guaranteed: Carpenter at right back.

If Carpenter is fit, she starts.

Chelsea have given her more freedom to push forward, particularly when playing with three center backs or a back four that allows her to advance alongside veteran right back Lucy Bronze. With Bronze providing defensive cover, Carpenter can spend large portions of matches higher up the pitch.

Australia does not have another player with quite the same combination of Bronze’s experience and defensive reliability to provide that same safety net.

That does not mean Carpenter cannot be given more attacking freedom with the Matildas. If she were to move permanently higher up the pitch, Charli Grant and Charlie Rule could provide options at right back. Tori Tumeth, who just received her first Matildas call-up, could also factor into the equation.

Australia could use a back five when giving Carpenter greater attacking license. That would allow her to push forward while maintaining defensive cover and could give the left back similar freedom on the opposite side.

It’s not as if Carpenter has been playing as a stationary right back for her career with Australia. She is already high up the field frequently for the Matildas.

One of the Matildas’ most effective and common ways of progressing the ball has been Carpenter exchanging one-twos with the right winger. For years, Hayley Raso was her partner on the right.

Mary Fowler has occupied that right-wing role recently. The partnership has worked just as well. Despite the change in personnel, Carpenter has continued to find ways to combine with the winger and advance the ball.

Defensive Cost

Carpenter is one of the best defensive wingbacks in the game.

Her positioning is elite, and her decision-making is excellent. She knows when to challenge and when to delay. Her pace makes her exceptionally difficult to beat. These qualities have made her a fixture in the national team for more than a decade. 

Giving Carpenter a more advanced role would come with a cost. If she were to focus more on attack, the absence of her defensive responsibilities would leave the Matildas more vulnerable. Situational flexibility in Carpenter’s role is extremely valuable at both the domestic and international level.

Against stronger attacking opponents, it would be difficult to justify moving Carpenter away from right back. Against teams sitting in a low block, there is less reason to keep her in defense. This could mean moving to the midfield or simply letting her loose.

Attacking Benefits

Carpenter has never been known for her goal contributions. Even at Chelsea, where her attacking impact has increased, there is still room for growth in her finishing and crossing.

But her greatest attacking weapons are not her crossing or finishing; they are her speed and tenacity.

Carpenter’s work rate exhausts opponents. Whether she spends 90 minutes or only a portion of the game in advanced areas, her ability to run relentlessly at opponents tires defenders and creates space for the attackers around her.

Her positioning and delivery have also improved during her time at Chelsea. Carpenter is getting into better positions, finding herself around the box more frequently and creating chaos even when she is not the player who ultimately finishes the move.

Despite playing under Sonia Bompastor at both Chelsea and Olympique Lyonnais, Carpenter’s attacking production has increased significantly at Chelsea. She scored three goals across five seasons with Lyon. She has already matched that total in her first two seasons with Chelsea, scoring three times for the Blues.

For Australia, she has five goals in 101 appearances.

The numbers are not those of a traditional attacking player, but it’s positive for a defender of Carpenter’s experience to still have room to grow. Carpenter is adding another dimension to her game and her attacking skillset is consistently growing.

Looking Ahead

The Matildas have no shortage of attacking talent, both experienced and emerging.

But Australia is entering a transitional period. The front line that led the team for years, Caitlin Foord, Sam Kerr and Raso, is aging. If they start at the 2027 Women’s World Cup, it would surely be their last. Many fans are hoping the tournament will give younger players the opportunity to carry the team.

Players like Fowler, Amy Sayer and Holly McNamara are some of the next generation of Australia’s attack. Despite lots of burgeoning attacking talent, the Matildas have yet to find a combination with the same cohesion that made Foord, Kerr and Raso so prolific.

Carpenter will help bridge the transition. The 26-year old already has over 100 caps and often wears the captain’s armband. Wherever she is on the pitch, her leadership will be vital in shifting to the next era of the Matildas.

Moving her into the attack would sacrifice too much of what makes her valuable. But pushing her higher in specific matches could provide Australia with another way to break down opponents, especially against the typical low block of Asian teams. At the World Cup, they’ll face less opponents like this.

The Matildas do not need Carpenter to become an all-out winger, but they should take even more advantage of the fact that she plays like one.

Carpenter’s attacking development gives Australia another outlet when goals are hard to find. Her versatility makes her such a valuable player.

As Australia looks forward to an era of change, Carpenter will continue to lead the charge and her unpredictability will be one of the Matildas’ biggest weapons.

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Aussie attackers look ahead to important window of opportunities

by Monica Clarke (6/10/26)

Above: The Matildas will be looking to put out a strong performance against some tough opposition this international window. Photo: Cat Bryant for Impetus

Hayley Raso and Holly McNamara spoke to media today ahead of the Matildas’ two friendly matches against Germany and Haiti this international window. During that media call, both Raso and McNamara spoke on the significance of these matches in the lead up to the World Cup in Brazil 2027.

Above: Hayley Raso speaking to the media ahead of an interesting October window for the Matildas. Credit: via Matildas

Raso told media that “we actually looked into it last night and there’s not that many camps or matches before the World Cup so every one is so important.”

She further discussed the importance of facing a strong team like Germany in World Cup preparations: “Having a game against a top side like Germany is really important.”

McNamara further explained “You always want to play against the best and try and win against the best, Germany are one of the best. It’s a good test for us.”

“Moving into a World Cup year, this is going to happen at the World Cup if we want to win so I think it’s good for us.”

The team is expecting a tough match against Germany. Raso, being familiar with the team through previous national team matches as well as at her German club Eintracht Frankfurt, discussed expectations of the German side.

 “We know how tough and physical they’re going to be, we’ve played against them a few times before” Raso said.

“The Germans are strong, they’re fit, they can run, they play good football here in Europe.”

Raso also shared that the team’s mentality going into the international camp is “every game we go into we have confidence. We trust ourselves and we trust our abilities. We do what we know how to do. We also respect the opponent, we know they’re going to be a tough game.”

“We’re looking at it as preparation. It’s a building block for us and one we’re looking to go in and win.”

McNamara talked about the changing nature of the national team setup, the additions to the team as well as the missing names in the squad. 

“We’ve had people coming in and out for the last little while. You kind of get used to it, especially in a national team setup where you don’t have much time” McNamara said.

“You have to adapt pretty quickly to new players, whether you start, whether you’re on the bench because you actually don’t have time to sit around and wait like you do at clubland.”

Above: Holly McNamara speaking to the media ahead of an interesting October window for the Matildas. Credit: via Matildas

McNamara said that regardless of the squad, head coach Joe Montemurro’s plans for the team remain the same, noting that “I think no matter who’s in the squad, Joe’s got his ideas.”

Addressing internal competition within the squad in the lead up to a tournament like the World Cup, McNamara noted “it’s a competitive sport even within your team. You’ve got to find the right balance that we’re all actually working towards the same goal here. We’re all competing to win the World Cup at the end of the day.”

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Charli Grant exclusive: I just needed to be believed in

by Ben Gilby (3/10/26)

Above: Charli Grant is looking ahead to a hugely important few months as she is back in the Matildas squad amidst Malmö’s push for Champions League qualification and a Europa Cup campaign. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Malmö FF.

It’s been a challenging year or so for Charli Grant. The 25-year-old has had to contend with injury and a lack of minutes at Tottenham Hotspur which cost her a spot in the Matildas squad. But now, at last, the return to a familiar part of Sweden has resulted in things looking up again.

A European summer move to Malmö FF has reunited the South Australian with the city that she was based in during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, during a spell with Rosengård.

Extolling the virtues of Sweden’s third biggest metropolis, Grant said: “Moving can always be hard, but it’s really nice being familiar with the city, as every other place I’ve moved to has been new. I love Malmö – it’s such a cute city, you can ride your bike everywhere – to get to training. It has beautiful scenery, friendly people, and it’s nice to have so many Aussies around.”

There certainly are lots of Aussies in the city. The defender is joined at her club by fellow Matildas Courtney Nevin and Amy Sayer. Across the way at Rosengård can be found the trio of Izzy Gomez, Bryleeh Henry, and Remy Siemsen.

Whilst having so many familiar faces nearby is a big draw in terms of support network, with her career approaching a crossroads, Grant had to focus in on the club that would give her the best opportunity to not only get regular minutes again, but the chance to perform in high level environments that would support her in regaining her spot in the national side.

Discussing the process in choosing her new destination after leaving Tottenham, the South Australian said: “There were some different options, and I had a talk with the people that I have around me in my support system.

“The thinking was a club like Malmö would be the best fit. After my time at Tottenham, I really needed a place where I was believed in, I needed minutes. I really want to break back into the National Team, and that’s a requirement – to be playing.

“Malmö showed a lot of belief in me, which was what I was really looking for and it’s such a great professional set-up at the club which has really helped with the transition from Tottenham to here. It’s a great set-up, and I’m also believed in which I’m really grateful for.”

Above: Charli Grant is concentrating on propelling Malmö towards Champions League qualification. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Malmö FF.

The notion of being believed in is central to what eventually brought Grant back to the Matildas set-up for the current international window, and the games against Germany and Haiti.

That huge smile which is her trademark comes when she’s supported, happy, and confident in her football – both during and away from match-day. The one thing that resonated with me during our chat was how valued the defender feels in Malmö.

On the flipside, her time in North London was a roller coaster.

“I have lots of mixed emotions looking back at my time in England. The Wembley FA Cup Final against Manchester United was definitely a highlight, and I feel like I made a second family in England, so I definitely am missing them.

“It was really difficult, not playing much, getting an injury. I think I learned a lot and really developed as a player and I hope now that I’m playing more minutes, I can work on those things I did develop (in England) and I can build confidence and find myself as a player again.

“It’s definitely made me more resilient. You have to be when you are facing those challenges. When you are not playing, you are given time to work on what you want to work on and develop, and you feel you have more freedom to work on that during training or after training, so that was a positive.”

Grant had three seasons in the Swedish Damallsvenskan between 2021 and 2023 with Rosengård and Vittsjö, so returned with a firm understanding of what to expect – but she feels she has a lot more to bring to the table this time.

“It feels different now to come in with more experience. When I came in before (between the ages of 20-22) I was a younger player learning lots. In terms of the style of play, it’s very tactical. Teams like to put a block in around us. Teams like Häcken and Hammarby are still very strong teams. It’s great to be back in this league.”

With things getting back on track in her club football, her target of returning to the Matildas squad after an absence of around a year has also just been achieved. Grant’s experiences at Tottenham meant missing out on a home Asian Cup and the beginning of the build-up to next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

However, boss Joe Montemurro made it clear all along that the South Australian was still very much in his thoughts.

Above: Charli Grant in action for the Matildas against Korea Republic – she is going all out to get a recall to the squad. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.

“Joe has brought in a lot of positive energy. I’ve been fortunate that he has been in touch with me and been giving me a lot of positive reinforcements and belief while I was going through those tough times. The things about him that stand out are that positive energy and his belief in the installment of the game plan that he wants to bring in.”

The Damallsvenskan is about to enter its final six rounds of matches, and there is so much at stake for Grant and Malmö.

The team are presently located in the final of Sweden’s three allotted Champions League places, but are under pressure from four other sides to clinch that spot. Whilst Malmö are in good form – with three wins and a draw in their last five – it’s very tight. There is a lot to play for.

“In the last few games, we’ve been playing some really good football, and we’ve been creating a lot of opportunities, so we have to hold onto that confidence that we are a good side and we can compete with these teams and keep scoring goals.”

As well as pushing for Champions League qualifying for next year, Malmö have European silverware to aim for this season in the second tier UEFA Women’s Europa Cup. They have just overcome Austrian side St. Pölten in the final qualifying round 5-0 on aggregate, and will now face Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam over two legs in the last sixteen from the end of October.

It’s a competition that Swedish sides excel in – last year’s final was between BK Häcken and Hammarby, and the latter could await in the Quarter-Finals in March. Grant is hungry for her side to make waves this time round.

“That’s something that drew me to the club – how ambitious it is. They want to win trophies, they want to compete with the best. We want to be finishing in that top three to make Champions League qualifying.”

In terms of the final few months of 2026, the 25-year-old has big targets to aim for.

“Finishing in the top three with Malmö definitely, but also getting back in the Matildas squad regularly. I think I’ve been set on that for a long time, but it’s been difficult to do when I’m not getting minutes (with Spurs) or coming back from injury, so that’s definitely the goals for the end of the year – as well as progressing in the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup.”

You would not bet against Malmö’s smiling assassin achieving all of those things.

(c) Impetus 2026.

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Arsenal Press- Conference

By Chloe Reynolds (30/9/26)

Above: Smiles all around as Arsenal make their way to Paris. Photo: Arsenal FC.

Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers and midfielder Georgia Stanway sat down with the Media ahead of a huge Champions League game against Paris FC

Firstly, Slegers provided an injury update on some key players: “Chloe Kelly is not available. you saw Elisa, you’ll made it in the background. She’s coming back, which is really positive, not ready for tomorrow yet. and Steph Catley won’t travel.

Catley has a back issue which saw her pull of the warm ups during open training for the Media, and the Dutch coach provided a more detailed description of Kelly’s injury: “she’s had some issues with her hamstring, no injury, nothing we could see from an injury perspective, but been managing something. And at the moment not available to play.”

Despite only being an Arsenal player for a few weeks, Stanway has admitted that she’s really happy to be here despite all the extra noise: “I am very happy with my decision to be here, even though it’s been a tough couple of weeks, I wouldn’t change any part of been a part of Renee, the team, there’s 50 people in and out of this building every single day and everybody’s taking responsibility for themselves and I think, yeah, that will only put us in good stead going forward and I am a big believer of the fact that when it clicks, I think it will really click. We spent a lot of time together both on and off the pitch.  also, a massive believer in, yeah, the relationships that you build off the pitch can match on the pitch and we’ll continue to do that. And of course, bringing players in doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a magic fix and if it’s about giving it time to be able to adapt.

Stanway also shared that this is a dream come true for her: “Champions League is my Dream and something that I’ve never got close to and something that I would love to make happen and I would love to do that in an Arsenal shirt”

This weekend saw Anneke Borbe in goal, replacing Misa Rodriguez who has started every other game, and Slegers explained her decision: “we have 2 top goalkeepers or actually 3 with Isabella, a very big talent as well, doing really well in training with Daph still out, but uh, Misa and Neki are very different profiles. Like I said, top goalkeepers, different profiles. So that we are in a position now, like we can do with outfielders, what qualities do we need in this game and who’s the best fit? So that’s what we’ve been doing so far. And I think they both performed really, really well for us in the games they’ve played.

Stanway also spoke about the pressure with playing 3 games in seven days and how she doesn’t have time to sit and dwell on previous results: “I think the beauty of the league that we’re in at the moment is the fact that games have come in thick and fast. You don’t really have time to dwell on what’s just been. It’s about focussing on what we can do that’s right in front of us. Yeah, we spent the last few days putting ourselves in the best possible position to, yeah, be ready to fight tomorrow, be ready to, yeah, tactically and technically be better than them. And that is exactly what we’re going to try and execute. So yeah, it’s just about putting ourselves in the best possible position for the result that we want.

Paris FC are a familiar foe for the gunners having already faced them in preseason, and Slegers addressed the challenges  of playing them again five weeks on: “that was a preseason game. Both teams are trying out different things. There’s a lot of changes in the game, I think the game will be different tomorrow. It will be highly competitive. So, I don’t think it will look similar and of course we’ve watched their game against Barcelona as well where they scored the 1st goal and they threatened with that directness. which they were really strong at. So that’s something I’ll have to manage really well tomorrow.

Stanway shared some dressing room secrets that the fans won’t have seen during the training sessions and what fans can expect: “I probably say the fight within us and I’d say the care. Yeah, we’re constantly battling to find solutions to find different ways in which we can, yeah, challenge the opposition, create chances in the final third. Even in terms of confidence, we’re finding different ways to try and, find those solutions. And then I’d say care, um, we care a lot about what we’re doing. We care when we’re coming into training, we care about. What’s been said in the meetings, the information that we’re taking on board, the information that we’re giving back in terms of, yeah, communication both ways. We care when we’re on the grass every single pass. But making sure that it’s executed with, yeah, with care to allow the next person to be able to do their job. and also care in terms of we don’t want the fans to suffer with us and we want to, at some point, be able to celebrate something and be able to put smiles on their faces.

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