Australia defender Charli Grant speaks EXCLUSIVELY to Ben Gilby about regular minutes at Vittsjö aiding her development into a top international player, her goal for the Matildas that ended England’s long unbeaten run, and looking ahead to a home World Cup
Above: Charli Grant (22) celebrates with Kyra Cooney Cross (left), Cortnee Vine, and Mary Fowler after her goal against England in April. Photo: Football Australia.
Charli Grant is about to achieve a childhood dream of representing her country at the World Cup. To do it on home soil is the culmination of a meteoric rise over the past three years.
Grant’s hugely impressive 2020/21 season with Adelaide United in what was then the W-League earned her a move to Damallsvenskan side Rosengård. Whilst the South Australian did not get the amount of game time she would have liked at the perennial UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers, the additional experience from being part of a squad containing the likes of Swedish legend Caroline Seger plus Jelena Čanković, Nathalie Björn, and Olivia Schough saw her as a regular pick for The Matildas.
This interview is the sixth time that the defender and I have spoken, and each time we do an interview, it feels as if Grant’s career has taken yet another big upward turn. Our discussion opened with a review of the past three years, and thoughts about how the child version of Charli that first kicked a ball as a kid would respond to her current achievements.
“So much has happened these past three years and it’s not often I sit down and look back at it as I’m always striving to be better. These three years have definitely been a roller coaster and I wouldn’t have been able to get through it without the support of all my friends and family.
“There’s definitely been some hard moments, especially during my time at Rosengård not being played, but that has only helped me grow as a player and made my achievements feel more rewarding. Young Charli would be so proud and inspired by what I’ve achieved, knowing all these years of hard work, sacrifices, and commitment is paying off.”
Grant made the move over to Vittsjö last season in search of more Damallsvenskan game time. Fellow Matildas Clare Polkinghorne and Katrina Gorry are also integral parts of the team from the tiny town in Skåne. The defender is getting regular minutes and seeing the benefits in terms of her confidence, and ability – a combination which has seen her become a regular starter for Australia, even since the return of Ellie Carpenter from an ACL injury, whose right back role Grant took over in the national team.
The South Australian has been deployed as a left back at Vittsjö, meaning that Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson can find room for both of his young star defenders. Grant is thrilled with the move and believes it has been the making of her as a player.
“I love it here. I think I’m playing some of my best football and I credit that to the lifestyle I have built here and the trust my team and coaches have in me. I’m the happiest I’ve been and I think when you are happy off the pitch you play with freedom on the pitch.
“I feel like I have a second family here which makes it a lot easier to be away from home. I’m very fortunate to be a part of this club, it doesn’t have the best of resources due to being in a smaller town but it just makes you appreciate everything you have even more.
“You want to work harder for all the volunteers that help the club and the community that continuously supports us. We’ve had lots of games in such a short period of time and we are just getting better as each game passes, which is really exciting to see.”
Vittsjö’s form sees them within striking distance of the Champions League qualification spots. These places are historically filled by the trio of Rosengård, BK Häcken, and Linköping. Grant believes her team are capable of breaking into those ranks this season.
“I definitely think it’s realistic that the club can break into the Champions League qualification. We are creating more and more chances every game and if we can begin to convert these opportunities this will definitely increase the possibility. I think we’ve always been a strong defensive side so we just need to continue in that form. I’m really excited to see what we can achieve as a club this season, everyone wants to do everything they can to help this club succeed.
“I feel like I’m improving every match. I’m really grateful for my coach Ulf Kristiansson in trusting me to play every match and giving me the license to push forward and attack. I’ve been focusing on improving my decision-making in the final third and his trust in me to allow me to go forward has helped that. I love how competitive this league is because it allows me to play against quality wingers every week and helps me practice my one-v-one defending regularly.”
With the Australian World Cup squad revealed yesterday, Grant has been joined by fellow South Australian product Alex Chidiac in the Matildas side. The same state has also seen Matilda McNamara capped for the senior national team with Emilia Murray following in Grant’s footsteps in captaining the Young Matildas. I was keen to know what the state’s secret is.
“It’s so exciting to see the South Australians succeed. I think the trust and belief that the youth coaches have in our South Australian players is definitely a key to developing players. In addition, the Adelaide United coaches exposing young girls to a high level not only gives the girls experience but drives the younger age groups that anything is possible with hard work.”
Whilst the ability and qualities of Charli Grant have been long known by regular followers of Australian women’s football, the defender announced herself to a far wider audience back in April by scoring the goal that confirmed the Matildas’ superb win over England – a result that brought the Lionesses’ 30 match unbeaten run to a crashing halt.
Speaking to me two months after the event, the South Australian still can’t quite believe what she did.
“I just put my head on it and hoped for the best.”
Charli Grant on scoring THAT goal for Australia that ended England’s 30 match unbeaten run.
“Honestly, I still can’t quite comprehend that happened. I just remember Sam (Kerr) getting on the ball after a transition and seeing we didn’t have many numbers in the box so I needed to provide another option. Sam’s delivery was perfect and I just put my head on it and hoped for the best.
“It was a surreal moment and a dream come true. I think what was so special was how happy everyone was for me, not only my teammates but my friends and family back home. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for a lot of them so everything I do is for them.
“Overall though it was an amazing game by the girls. I’m so proud of the team to get that result against such a high-quality side, it has definitely given us a lot of belief going into the World Cup next month.”
That tournament is now within touching distance. I wondered if Grant is still just focusing solely on her club game, or if, as a lover of football herself, it’s entering her head on a regular basis.
“The World Cup has been in my head ever since I was a young girl and fell in love with the game. So it definitely enters my head a lot, everything I do in my daily life is in preparation for the World Cup to make sure I’m in the best possible shape mentally and physically, so I can give my all to the team if selected. That involves performing at my best for Vittsjö and enjoying my time at the club.”
We ended our conversation with Grant explaining the key components within the Matildas that make them a contender for the World Cup
“I think the tight-knit group, the depth, the trust, and belief we have built within this team makes us believe anything is possible. Another key component is the fans. Playing at home in front of amazing fans will only strive us to do even better. We are so excited for the World Cup and hope we can inspire the nation and make them proud.”
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