By Ella Mcshane 20/6/25
Above: Alexia Apostolakis of Melbourne City has been called into her first senior squad. Photo: A-League.
Matildas head coach Joe Montemurro has named his inaugural squad that will face Slovenia and Panama, in a series of friendlies this upcoming international window. The extended squad features a host of debutants and participation will be varied across the two series.
Veteran players feature in both or exclusively in the Slovenia matches, while it is primarily the infrequently selected and emerging players who will be in contention for the Panama series. Montemurro emphasising the opportunity to broaden the squad and “explore the talent coming through”. (Joe Montemurro via Football Australia, 2025)
Young Matilda Alexia Apostolakis returns to the senior squad for the Panama match series. Previously called into camp as a train-on player earlier in the year, the 19-year-old returns in a more established position. While fellow A-League young guns Adriana Taranto and Grace Kuilamu earn their maiden senior call up.
Chloe Berryhill (Logarzo), Alex Chidiac, Sharn Freier, Bryleeh Henry, Jacynta Galabadaarchchi, Sally James, Jessika Nash and Remy Siemsen return to the squad after extended absences due to a variety of reasons. Notably, Freier returns after suffering a season ending injury earlier in the year. The forward is set to join European powerhouse Wolfsburg this upcoming European season.
Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord will not feature in the upcoming squad, both taking personal leave, and midfielder Katrina Gorry extends hers. The return of Ellie Carpenter from personal leave has ensured a leadership presence in the camp, sharing the responsibility with fellow vice-captain Emily Van Egmond.
Despite making memorable debuts in the last international break, young forward Kahli Johnson and midfielder Izzy Gomez will not feature in the upcoming fixtures. The reasoning remains an omission.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold (Portland Thorns) , Sally James (Canberra United, Chloe Lincoln (Brisbane Roar FC) , Teagan Micah (Unattached, Jada Whyman (AIK FC).
Defenders: Alexia Apostolakis (Melbourne City FC), Ellie Carpenter (Olympique Lyonnais), Charlotte Grant (Tottenham Hotspur), Winona Heatley (FC Nordsjælland), Clare Hunt (Tottenham Hotspur) , Alanna Kennedy (Angel City FC), Jessika Nash (Central Coast Mariners), Courtney Nevin (Leicester City), Natasha Prior (Newcastle Jets FC), Jamilla Rankin (TSG Hoffenheim).
Midfielders: Chloe Berryhill (Western United FC), Alex Chidiac (Melbourne Victory FC), Kyra Cooney-Cross (Arsenal WFC), Jacynta Galabadaarachchi (Unattached), Alana Murphy (Melbourne Victory), Amy Sayer (Kristianstads DFF), Adriana Taranto (Western United FC), Emily Van Egmond (Birmigham City), Clare Wheeler (Everton).
Forwards: Sharn Freier (Wolfsburg FC), Emily Gilniek (Melbourne Victory), Bryleeh Henry (Melbourne City), Michelle Heyman (Canberra United), Grace Kuilamu (Brisbane Roar), Holly McNamara (Melbourne City FC), Hayley Raso (Tottenhamn Hotspur), Remy Siemsen (Kristianstad DFF), Kaitlyn Torpey (Portland Thorns).
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I don’t envy JM as there is so much talent to sift through. Great to see Kuilamu, Apostolakis and Taranto come up. Why hasn’t D Galic featured recently? Really gutted that I Dos Santos will be out for an extended period. Interested to see Gala – don’t know much about her but she’s been highly praised by some. Great to see S Freier back on the pitch. I think it’s time to get Chinnama involved in the senior squad. Really excited about the next phase for the Matildas.
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