by Ben Gilby (17/7/24)
Above: Clare Wheeler talking to the media ahead with a week to go before the Olympics tournament starts. Image: Football Australia.
Clare Wheeler is a prime example of exactly the sort of player who will be key for The Matildas in the Olympics. In consistently strong form for club and country and able to play in several different positions, the Everton star has everything necessary in her toolkit to be a leading light in Paris 2024.
Australia travel to Marseille on Friday to begin their medal quest in earnest, and Wheeler believes the tough training regime and opposition in Canada last week to mirror the squashed nature of the Olympic tournament will stand the team in good stead for battles to come.”
“Obviously Canada is a formidable side and they are reigning champions at the Olympics. Going in there we had a physical loading plan to make sure we peak (at the Games)…
“In our strength and conditioning plan, we’ve been doing running pretty consistently and trying to manage loads within that. We wanted to play (against Canada) a bit under fatigue as that’s what we’re going to experience under the schedule, so it’s important to have that exposure before going in…
“It was a tough game physically, but we’ll be better for it. The tournament will be really challenging with the amount of games we have in a close time. It’s important that we push ourselves physically and tactically…and I think that game helped us a lot in our preparation…
Part of the preparation at the Marbella-based training camp was the Matildas continuing to try new things. One such example was a deliberate tactic of trying to play out from the back at a slower pace. Wheeler highlighted the importance of this.
“From the World Cup, we want(ed) to add layers to our game, and that requires trying to build new things and new outlets and tools that we can use. It’s important to use these games to try these things…it’s another thing we want to have in our pocket for the games going forward…
“Our next game is an Olympic game, and… every day it’s closer and getting more and more real…
“Uniquely for women’s football, the Olympics is part of our calendar (the men’s event is largely an U23 tournament), and for me, it’s always (been a dream of mine) to go to an Asian Cup, to go to a World Cup, to go to an Olympics, and to be an Australian and be an Olympian is an honour and a privilege.
“We want a medal – there’s nothing else we want more.”
Whilst Wheeler was part of the Matildas squad who finished fourth at the World Cup last year, the Olympic Games is a whole different ball game. The compact nature of the event, the ability to be part of a multi-sport event, and everything else that goes with it is something that greatly enthuses her. It is something that Wheeler believes is a consequence of her playing against the world’s best on a regular basis in England.
“Playing in the WSL has enabled me to play in a competition where the speed of the game is that next level. The quality of the players is that next level, and that just tests you…I think putting myself in more challenging situations has enabled me to build confidence and when I do play at an international level, I play against several different nationalities in the WSL week in week out and that helps my own play and my own confidence going into games.
“It’s all about growing and adding layers to your game. For me, that’s more exposure overseas, playing in competitive leagues against the world’s best and that challenge has forced me to grow, and I think you have seen the rewards for that in the national team.”
Her versatility for both Everton and Australia is highly likely to be a huge advantage for Wheeler’s prospects of playing a major role in the Olympics journey. With only an 18-player squad, plus four potential emergency alternates, having players able to play powerfully in different positions is a massive plus. Explaining how her ability to shine in defence and midfield, she admitted: “It’s something that just came about for me.
“It’s something about me as a person, I’ve always liked to make the most of my opportunities. If that’s playing full-back, it’s playing full-back. If that’s playing midfield, it’s playing midfield. I’m not someone who really cares as long as I’m representing Australia.”
“I don’t think it disadvantages me to be versatile. I think it’s an important part of every player to be able to play somewhere else if needed. The opportunity has been there and I’ve been able to fill in for club and country.”
Australia played their final warm-up game against Canada without Steph Catley, Kaitlin Torpey, and Caitlin Foord. Wheeler provided hope to all Matildas fans who have their fingers permanently crossed that the trio will play a part in the forthcoming tournament.
“Everyone has their individualised recovery plans, but it’s promising to see both of them out on the park running, and hopefully we’ll see them back in training soon.”
Whilst Wheeler is one of the potential stars of the immediate future for The Matildas at the Olympics, she takes nothing for granted in terms of her longer-term horizon.
“Sometimes the unfortunate reality of a national time is that it’s competitive and game time is definitely not guaranteed…I love to play, but more than that I love to be part of this team and represent my country. There have been times where I haven’t played, but that doesn’t reduce my motivation, it just puts more wood on the fire, so to speak…
“Football moves so fast and you can’t predict anything. I know that if I put myself in a challenging environment and I keep pushing myself as a player, both on the field and off the field, then I’ll put myself in the best position for the national team.”
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