Above: Michelle Heyman (right) in action for Canberra United. Photo: Canberra United.
by Genevieve Henry (10/4/25).
Michelle Heyman is set to make her 200th A-League Women appearance this weekend, becoming the first player to reach this impressive milestone. The all-time leading scorer, with 117 goals, debuted in the inaugural season of the competition in 2008.
“I can’t believe I did it. I think it’s just like, who would have thought that, you know, from in 2008 playing 12 to 14 games to today being able to tick over the 200. It’s just an incredible achievement. I feel very proud and just grateful to still be playing the game.”
Heyman’s first seasons in the W-League, as it was then known, were played with Sydney FC and Central Coast Mariners. Heyman shared about that time in her career and the anxiety that came along with being a young player, 21 at the time, in a new competition.
“For me, it was more along the lines of, am I good enough to be in this team, playing with some of the greats that have played within the national team? It was just to get out there, to show people who I was and to try and enjoy the football.”
In 2010, Heyman moved to Canberra United, where she has stayed for the majority of her career, with brief stints abroad, one at Adelaide United, and a period spent coaching rather than playing.
“It’s home. Canberra means the world to me. This club gave me an opportunity to shine…It goes back from 2010 to today, and I’ve tried to be loyal to this club because this is home. I hope the Canberra United fans and everyone within the A-Leagues can really see that loyalty that I have within this club.”
The majority of Heyman’s appearances and goals have been in Canberra colours, with 172 caps and 105 goals so far. “It’s just walking out on the McKellar (Park), like just being able to walk out onto that field, see everybody cheering us on, supporting us. We’re a small community, but we are very loud, and we are very big when it comes to women’s football here in Canberra…It’s special. It’s really special.”
Of course, as a player who has seen 17 seasons of the A-League Women, Heyman has experienced it all. When asked what changes she has seen, Heyman replied, “Everything. I think just the amount of games; being able to play everyone home and away is something really special. That’s something that we’ve been fighting for for many years. To see that within football is incredible.”
“Back then, there was no salary cap. There was no salary at all. We just played the game for fun. So we’ve come a long way. It was the love of the game that everyone was playing for. And I think that is super important to remember because most of the girls that were doing it were just doing it because they love it and they wanted to play in the national team. So you could see that fight and that hunger in every single game.”
Over these years of tumultuous change, Heyman has remained consistent in her prolificacy in front of goal. As a striker, of course, Heyman emphasized just how important that is. “For me personally, that’s my number one job. Score goals, have fun, and smile.”
“I think when you score all the time, it’s kind of like you’re always happy.” She continued, “You’re always wanting to feel that feeling. I know it’s a motivation for myself. I know when I’m happy, when I’m smiling, when I’m feeling good, that’s when the goals usually come.
“So as soon as you see the cranky Michelle, that’s when I’ve got to kind of like compose myself and really think about trying to get that smile back. Sometimes I draw a little smiley face on my hand just to look at it to remember the reasons why (I’m) doing this.”
Her goal-scoring prowess has remained impressive throughout her career. When asked about her most treasured goal, she responded, “It’s probably my 100th goal without even noticing that it was going to be so special. But to be able to continue to be within this league and to do the one thing that I’m meant to do every game and to show people that I am a goal scorer, it was an incredible feeling to be able to knock that one off and to create history and to be the first one to ever do it in the Women’s A-League.”
Throughout her expansive career, Heyman has played with excellent players who have provided her with great service. “Ash Sykes, Nicky Flannery, Steph Oakes, Terran Hemmings, pretty much all my wingers, all my partners in crime being able to set me up. Pretty much all of these goals that I’m scoring are from them. I’m very lucky with the quality of players that I’ve been able to play with up top.”
Heyman spoke about the importance of true friendships and how they helped get her through the lowest parts of her career. “I was lucky enough to put myself in a good situation, have some time away, learn a bit more about myself, and just kind of enjoy being away from football to heal. Then, to get that little fight back, to be like, actually, I’ve missed this a lot.
“It all started in COVID, just kicking a ball against the wall. It just brought back so (many) memories of why I do it.” She continued, “It’s been a really tough journey, but it’s been an incredible one. I wouldn’t change it.”
“It’s my happy place, just being able to run and kick a ball around. The days when I’m not feeling great and I’m unhappy on the field, I’m like, ‘okay, I think I need to take some mental time again, just relax, remember why I do it and how fortunate and lucky I am to be able to do this as a career.’ It’s our life. It’s who we are as people, and we’re very lucky to be able to do it.”
Heyman spoke about how special the Canberra family is, especially when it comes to supporting players who have come up through the ranks.
“I think one of the biggest highlights was watching Chloe Lincoln and Laura Hughes go out and make their national debut for the Matildas…I reckon there were like six Canberra United players on the field at that time, and I was like, ‘this is really nice to see how far everyone’s coming and what incredible careers they’re all going to have.’ People kind of laugh at me about it because I’m like an old mother now. But to me, these are my children, and I’m really proud of every single one of them.”
On her return following a long hiatus from the Matildas, Heyman said her biggest motivation to get back on the international stage was the World Cup. “Being there, watching those games, seeing the crowd, seeing people support the game. It was something that I was never a part of. We didn’t really have a big crowd or much fans of the women’s game back when I was playing.
“To see that and to see my friends doing what they do and loving it, it was a big motivation for me.”
“I was trying my hardest to try and get in that World Cup team that season. I thought I had a really good season but was just unlucky to not get a spot. But, I think everything happens for a reason because more hunger happened, and I was grateful for the opportunity, and I’m trying really hard to never let it go again.”
Heyman has won two premierships, two championships, three golden boots, and two Julie Dolan medals, so there’s not much uncharted territory. When asked what’s left to achieve, she said, “More of everything.”
“I think it’s more about being that leader, being that mentor, helping the rest of the team achieve what they want to achieve as well. Just making sure that I go out there and give it my all and try to be the best role model possible. But also score as many goals as I can, win awards, win trophies, and bring that shine back to Canberra United.”
When asked about what she wants her legacy to be, Heyman spoke boldly. “Legend. And, I think loyalty, goalscorer, just a good human. I hope that’s what I leave behind.”
Heyman will make history in her 200th match on Sunday at McKellar Park against Wellington Phoenix.
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