by Kris Goman at Accor Stadium for Impetus (4/6/24)
Above: Steph Catley at the press conference today. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
The formal announcement of the Matildas squad selected for the Paris Olympics was made this morning. The team gathered at Olympic Park in Sydney for the announcement accompanied by the Olympic Chef de Mission, Anna Mears.
There were no real surprises in the selection with the core team of regular starters Steph Catley (Captain), Emily van Egmond (Vice Captain), Ellie Carpenter (Vice Captain), Caitlin Foord, Haley Raso, Clare Polkinghorne, Alana Kennedy, Mackenzie Arnold, Mary Fowler, Tameka Yallop and Clare Hunt picked as expected.
The remaining positions up for grabs went to Cortnee Vine, Clare Wheeler, Kaitlyn Torpey, Michelle Heyman, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Tegan Micah and possibly surprisingly, given her current injury, Katrina Gorry, who was not able to attend today.
Fan favourite Charlotte Grant did not make the full squad but will be a travelling replacement along with Lydia Williams, Courtney Nevin and Sharn Freier.
Jada Whyman and Winonah Heatley who have been in the squad recently were not selected. Other notable absences include Emily Gielnik, Chloe Logarzo, Aivi Luik and Kyah Simon.
Manager Tony Gustavsson explained his rationale behind the selection. “We have limitations on the numbers of players available and a very tight schedule with games every third day. One of the considerations is that you need coverage in every position. I need three centre-backs, three outside-backs, three midfielders, three wide players and three 9 and 10s and one multifunctional player. So that comes into play, but you also need players that can play in multiple positions, and you’ve seen over the last two games some of these players playing three and four different positions in two games. We need some flexibility in such short turnaround at the Olympics.”
Captain Steph Catley described the desire to bring home a medal at this Olympics. “We’ve been to two major tournaments now where we’ve finished fourth and there’s definitely something within us that wants something tangible to take out of this whole experience, whether it’s the youngest player on the team to the oldest player who’s been on the team for over ten years, we all want the same thing. We’re very excited and very ready to get to Paris now.” Catley further explained, “You never take an Olympics for granted. It’s the most prestigious sporting event in the world and something I’m very honoured to be a part of.” “We’re coming up against a powerhouse straight away in the group and that’s the way the Olympics go. It’s a really difficult tournament. We will go out and do our absolute best and make the country proud regardless.”
When asked about Charli Grant’s omission from the squad, Catley said, “I think that’s the hard thing with the Olympic squad – it’s so small – and one of the things that’s most important is having flexibility and I think that sometimes that means you’re not going to have double ups in different positions.
“You’re going to have more players that can play different roles. If you get an injury in one area you might need someone that can play multiple roles and I think that’s where it may have tipped Charli out of favour. I think that’s the space the team is in and it’s so competitive and there’s so many players that have come in and really proven themselves and been hungry for a spot.
“It’s a really, really hard thing and obviously we’ve had the announcement over the last couple of days in camp and there’s been lots of emotions and lots of people that are obviously heartbroken but football’s also a funny game and she steps into the role as an alternate and you never know what’s going to happen, touch wood there’s no injuries or nothing like that, but anything can happen and she just needs to be ready to be called in as well as the other three.”
Family and friends were invited to the announcement and there was plenty of excitement in the room and a lot of proud parents as the tickets were presented.
Excitement was palpable for debutante Cortnee Vine who said that, “The Olympics have been a dream of mine from way back – when I was doing athletics.” She said she’s, “Done everything I can and put my best foot forward for Tony and it’s paid off luckily.”
When describing when she found out, she was very nervous and very stressed going into the meeting. “Tony tries to get to the point pretty quick but also make you second guess as well which is stressful. I’ve spoken to him before that the Olympics is the one thing that I’ve always wanted to be a part of, probably more than the World Cup. Back when I was younger, that was my thing. I’ve watched Cathy Freeman, I’ve watched the 2000 Olympics here and I’ve always thought that’s something I want to do.” “I shed a tear and was very emotional but I slept like a baby that night.”
The team will be taking a short break with some returning to their leagues before assembling in Spain for the final camp prior to the Olympics. Gustavsson mentioned they are looking to arrange at least one more friendly before the Olympics.
AUSTRALIA SQUAD FOR THE 2024 PARIS OLYMPICS:
| Name | Position | Age | Olympic Games |
| Mackenzie Arnold | Goalkeeper | 30 | 3rd (2016, 2020) |
| Ellie Carpenter (vc) | Defender | 24 | 3rd (2016, 2020) |
| Steph Catley (c) | Defender | 30 | 3rd (2016, 2020) |
| Kyra Cooney-Cross | Midfielder | 22 | 2nd (2020) |
| Caitlin Foord | Midfielder / Forward | 29 | 3rd (2016, 2020) |
| Mary Fowler | Midfielder / Forward | 21 | 2nd (2020) |
| Katrina Gorry | Midfielder | 31 | 2nd (2016) |
| Michelle Heyman | Forward | 35* | 2nd (2016) |
| Clare Hunt | Defender | 25 | Debut |
| Alanna Kennedy | Defender | 29 | 3rd (2016, 2020) |
| Teagan Micah | Goalkeeper | 26 | 2nd (2020) |
| Clare Polkinghorne | Defender | 35 | 3rd (2016, 2020) |
| Hayley Raso | Midfielder / Forward | 29 | 2nd (2020) |
| Kaitlyn Torpey | Defender | 24 | Debut |
| Emily van Egmond (vc) | Midfielder / Forward | 30* | 3rd (2016, 2020) |
| Cortnee Vine | Midfielder | 26 | Debut |
| Clare Wheeler | Midfielder | 26 | Debut |
| Tameka Yallop | Midfielder | 32* | 3rd (2016, 2020) |
* = will have birthday between now and the Olympics starting.
Additional players going along to cover for injuries only:
Sharn Freier, Charlotte Grant, Courtney Nevin, and Lydia Williams have been named as the travelling reserves who can be selected as a replacement athlete onto the Australian Olympic Team in case of injury or other withdrawal of one of the selected 18 athletes.
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