Isabelle Campbell & Alice de Koster-Kitto 26/11/2024
Above: Morgan Aquino in her A-League Women days. Photo: Perth Glory
Impetus profiles the newest of the new faces called up to The Matildas.
The latest Matildas squad announcement for their upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Chinese Taipei brings both excitement and opportunity as five uncapped talents—Morgan Aquino, Leah Davidson, Isabel Gomez, Hana Lowry and Natasha Prior—join the senior national team. Each player has impressed at club level, earning a chance to prove themselves on the international stage, while their call-ups signal the depth of talent emerging in Australian women’s football.
For West Australian Morgan Aquino this selection carries added significance. Should she debut, she could become the first player from Western Australia to pull on the Matildas jersey since captain Sam Kerr’s debut 15 years ago.
This fresh injection of talent highlights the Matildas’ commitment to building a strong foundation for the future, as these rising stars step into the squad of Australia’s most beloved sporting team.
Morgan Aquino
Aquino’s professional career began with her hometown team, Perth Glory, where she patiently awaited her moment to shine. That opportunity came in January 2020, when she debuted as a halftime substitute against Western Sydney Wanderers.
After just three games with the Glory, Aquino moved to Brisbane Roar for the 2020 season, making four appearances before returning to the West Coast. Over the following seasons, she worked her way into the starting lineup, eventually securing the first-choice goalkeeper spot by the 2023/24 season.
Her 23/24 campaign was exceptional, recording a league-best 126 saves with an 81% save percentage. This outstanding form earned her places in the PFA and A-League Women’s teams of the season, as well as the title of Liberty A-League Goalkeeper of the Year.
Internationally, Aquino has represented Australia at various youth levels, including the Junior and Young Matildas, and featured in the 2019 AFC U-19 Women’s Championship. Earlier this year, she was called up to the U-23 Matildas for the Four Nations Tournament in Sweden.
In July, Aquino announced her move to USL club DC Power, with the club’s president hailing her as “one of the brightest young goalkeeper talents in the world.”
Now, with her first senior Matilda’s call-up, Aquino’s journey has reached an exciting new chapter. From patiently waiting for her debut to becoming one of the league’s top goalkeepers, her rise is a testament to her hard work and talent.
Leah Davidson
Leah Davidson has earned her first senior Matildas call-up at 23, marking a huge turning point in her career. Currently in her fifth season with Melbourne City, Davidson has been a standout in midfield, playing an integral role in one of the league’s most competitive teams.
Davidson began her career in the Women’s NPL in Queensland at just 17. She was part of the Championship-winning Roar/NTC team in 2018, scoring seven goals in 16 matches. That same year, she made her professional debut for Brisbane Roar in a 1–1 draw against Perth Glory.
In November 2020, Davidson signed for Melbourne City, where she has continued to grow as a player. Her consistent performances with City earned her the Coaches Award at the 2020/21 Player of the Year Awards.
In 2021 Coach Rado Vidosic predicted she would soon be a regular on the Matildas roster, saying, “I think in a few years’ time, she is going to be one of the first names selected for the Matildas.”
Davidson has had her time in Australia’s youth teams, and now her senior call-up reflects her growth. Eager to utilise the opportunity presented in being around Matilda’s veterans, she shared, “I’d just love to learn from the players there. A lot of them are my role models, and the way they play is incredible. I want to gain as much experience as I can and push for future camps.”
With her strong foundation at club level and a clear hunger to continue developing, Leah Davidson is poised to make an impact with the Matildas. Her dedication to learning and growing her game marks her as a player to watch in years to come.
Isabel Gomez
Central Coast Mariners midfielder, Isabel Gomez, has earnt her first Matildas call up, following an astonishing start to the Ninja A-League 2024/25 season, scoring a goal against reigning champions Sydney FC, in a 3-1 defeat during the opening round. The 22-year-old has quickly become one of the most consistent central midfielders in the league and has cemented her place as a key member of the Mariners squad, since her signing in 2023.
Gomez began her professional career with Western Sydney Wanderers in 2020, at 18 years old. After 5 appearances with the Wanderers, the midfielder transferred to Wellington Phoenix, as part of the club’s inaugural season in the Women’s A-League.
Gomez is no stranger to adversity. A serious knee injury saw the midfielder’s first campaign with the Phoenix cut short. Gomez returned to action shortly after, with Northern Tigers FC in the NPL NSW Women’s First Grade competition under the guidance of Mariners assistant coach Jake Stephenson, after returning to the A-League, even stronger than she had left it. This kind of persistence and resilience, will be crucial as she enters her first camp with the senior national team.
Already one of Australia’s most promising midfielders, Gomez is set to thrive during her first Matildas camp. She will be joined in the midfield by the likes of Kyra Cooney-Cross and Tameka Yallop. Training and playing alongside this world class squad, can only further challenge Gomez’s innate skill and creativity, as she continues to develop her potential in an elite environment.
Gomez’s versatility as a player has made her a valuable asset to every club she has been a part of in her short, yet exciting career, and The Matildas should be no different. The youngster brings a creativity that will help usher the squad into a new era of Matildas. Should she take this well deserved opportunity in her stride, Isabel Gomez could very well cement her place in the first team over the coming years.
Hana Lowry
Since her professional debut in 2019, Hana Lowry has proven to be one of the most promising Matildas prospects. The midfielder signed her first professional contract with Perth Glory at 16 years old and quickly became a crucial part of the squad. After playing several games off the bench, Lowry made her starting debut in a 4-2 victory against Newcastle Jets, where she scored her first A-League goal.
Over her 72 appearances, Lowry established herself as a vital part of the squad, scoring 11 goals for the club. Following an impeccable 5 years with the Glory, the 21-year-old left her hometown club, after winning ‘Most-Glorious-Player’ at the end of season awards, to join 2023/24 Ninja A-League Champions, Sydney FC.
Lowry is no stranger to international football, scoring 5 times across her 17 appearances for Matildas U17s to U23s. This first senior call-up marks a huge milestone in her international career. Though it will be a tough fight for a regular spot in the Matildas squad, the youngster has a lot to offer. She comes with great flexibility in the midfield, with a track record of accurate passing range, and enviable set piece service.
The opportunity to train and play at this level will give the midfielder the experience she needs to grow as a player and expand her career at club and internationally.
Note: This article was written ahead of the news of Hana Lowry’s season ending Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury which she sustained in Sydney’s 1-1 draw against Melbourne City in Unite Round, just days out from her first international camp.
Natasha Prior
Natasha Prior’s professional career began with the Newcastle Jets, debuting during the 2017–18 W-League season. The Leicester-born, Australia-raised defender then joined Canberra United for the 2018–19 campaign, where she quickly made an impact before facing a significant setback.
In Round 5 of the season, Prior was involved in a heavy collision with Savannah McCaskill, resulting in a severe concussion that forced her to miss the remainder of the season. This marked her fifth concussion in less than six seasons, leading her to make the difficult decision to retire at the age of 21. Speaking on her retirement, Prior remarked, “I didn’t really want to have dementia at the age of 30.”
However, Prior’s love for the game saw her return in 2021 with Sydney FC, where she played a pivotal role in the club’s defensive setup. In September 2023, she re-signed with her first club, the Newcastle Jets, marking a full-circle moment in her career.
In the 23/24 season Prior showcased her skills as a central defender, scoring her maiden goal in the campaign. Jets head coach Ryan Campbell has praised her, saying, “Tash was a key member of our run to the semi-finals last season. Her defensive ability combined with her calmness in possession are key qualities that make her one of the best central defenders in the competition.”
From overcoming early career challenges to cementing her reputation as a standout defender, Natasha Prior’s journey is a testament to resilience and her enduring passion for football.
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