I know I'm a few days behind on this, but anyone who says Sam Kerr is overrated fundamentally misunderstands what she does. They are expecting her to be a pure number 9. She's not, really... she's a great finisher, not the best. Instead, she's the best in the world off the ball.
Caitlin Foord was absolutely outstanding tonight. Seriously. We know how good she can be, but she showed that for the first time at this World Cup tonight.
Kerr obviously short of a run, but still added something in those 10 mins. Jeez. It’s exciting, hey?
A ridiculous, anti-science decision. Cricket is a non-contact sport - size matters far less than strength, and we know that hormones can reduce strength levels as required.
I’m not really sure what this achieves, other than an attack trans people for no reason.
Under new rules announced by the ICC, any player who has transitioned from male to female and has been through any form of male puberty will not be allowed to participate in women's international cricket
Unbelievably proud to finally say that I’ll be part of the ALW commentary team for 22/23 alongside fellow newbies
@P_frim
and
@georgjar
. It blew me away when I first found out and continues to now. Hopefully I can do our chaos league the justice it deserves ⚽️
Don’t sleep on how big of an achievement this is. Only the second time we’ve qualified since 2006, and fifth time overall (underage world cups are every two years).
Awesome, convincing stuff. Let’s go win some silverware 🙏
QUALIFIED!!! 💪
The CommBank Young Matildas have secured qualification for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024™ and will now progress to the semi-finals of the
#U20WAC
#GoAustralia
#U20WWC
Just to hammer home how much of a feat it is to break into the Matildas set-up without being a part of junior national teams or the Future Matildas program…
Sophie Harding received her call-up while on a 10 hour shift last night.
Unreal story.
🎉 Our very own Sophie Harding sat down with us after being called up to the Matildas squad for their upcoming Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024™ Asian Qualifiers 👏
#WSW
It is fantastic that Grace - a Young Matilda - feels comfortable enough to share this, and educate thousands of people in the process. It will have a massive impact on young non-binary and trans footballers who wonder if there is a space for them in the professional game.
Today,
@AdelaideUnited
goalkeeper Grace Wilson has become the first A-Leagues player to come out as non-binary.
The 18-year-old tells their story, in their own words.
Full story:
I guess my general feeling is that yes, Carpenter made a bad error for England’s second - but you can’t expect a tournament free of errors when you got literally no rest, and you’re playing against a system that is designed to expose you without being provided solutions.
Plenty to discuss in terms of subs, formation, tactical side of things. I think their 3 at the back did us in to be honest, both of our full-backs were under the pump all night. But in terms of the technical, and the execution of skills, I think we were just cooked.
It’s all fine margins. We ran for 120 minutes four days ago in the biggest game of our lives and it showed.
England were slightly better, only slightly, but slightly is enough. It do be like that sometimes.
To be fair, given the way the industry is going, tweeting racist/sexist/transphobic dog whistles to get “cancelled” so you can accelerate your path to the right wing podcast circuit is probably more lucrative than sports journalism these days anyway 🤪
I’m not sure a tweet can adequately express the dismay I feel when influential football people choose to use their power to - of all things? - validate a bonkers transphobic moral panic.
Football is for everyone. I stand with the trans community, always 🏳️⚧️
The negativity towards this astounds me.
Why do we have statues? We have them to signify what we value as a society.
I’d say a moment that brought the whole country together is pretty significant.
A giant Bronze Matildas tribute — capturing the moment Cortnee Vine scored the winning penalty against France — will be installed at Suncorp Stadium this year. The state government has commissioned the tribute — set to measure 6m wide and 2.5m high. [nca]
We have proven we are a football nation off the pitch. Now, let’s prove it on the pitch.
We don’t have to be a low block transition side. We don’t have to be spirited underdogs forever. We have players capable of being among the best in the world. Let’s do it. That is legacy 🚀
Huge news - ALW to start on October 13 and run until May, aligning it in length with the ALM season for the first time.
New fans to the game after the Women’s World Cup will get to enjoy the biggest domestic women’s season ever. You love to see it.
As a woman (or anyone) working in sports broadcasting, I promise that you don’t need to justify yourself to randoms on the internet.
Be at peace with the work you do, let your loved ones be proud of you, and let your employer employ you. They’re the only people that matter. ⚽️
Alex Chidiac is one of the best players in the squad. Just find a way for her to start. I don’t care how. She’s not just in the best 11 players in the country, she’s in the best 3 or 4.
#AUSvSCO
It needs to be said, it’s pretty piss weak that a certain men’s active group won’t come out and condemn homophobia from their ranks. Pathetic behaviour from a group of lads that base their whole image on trying to look hard but are too cowardly to make a simple statement.
I think every woman understand that feeling, when someone violates your space and your skin crawls and what can you do? You're not going to get in a fist fight with some guy on a bus, and definitely not on a World Cup winning podium. The global solidarity says enough is enough.
When
@teopellizzeri
messaged one day to ask if I’d ever considered trying commentary, my initial thought was - “are you out of your mind?”
I could never have guessed where it would lead. I am thrilled to be one of a very special team behind the mic this weekend 🎙️
My sister sent me this photo. 9 - 11 yo boys coming together to watch the Matildas. Creating memories, having the absolute best time. This is what it’s about ⚽️
A history-making goal for Michelle Heyman! 🤩💯
The
@CanberraUnited
legend becomes the first Liberty A-League player 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 to score 100 goals in the competition 👏
Icon 🐐
Tune in on 10 Play 📺
📰
#CBRvADL
#ALW
I know she couldn't haul her team over the line, but what a privilege it was to see Pernille Harder play live last night. She was unbelievable - a threat whenever she got on the ball. I hope we get to see her at another World Cup in four years.
Not being dramatic, but the idea to have little Matildas present the jerseys to the
@TheMatildas
players might have been the greatest marketing ploy of all time. I am invested.
To be honest, I don’t really care about this one dude specifically. The more damning thing is the tacit admission that this worldview is extremely common, if not the norm, amongst his peers. That is extremely depressing.
That was probably the best four weeks of my life. I am eternally grateful to the people at
@TheMatildas
and
@keepupau
, as well as the folk at the editorial team of
@FIFAcom
for the chance to have a 'day job' throughout. Worth every long day. Can't wait for more. Up the Tillies 🫡
Probably one of my biggest bugbears is people thinking she's a pure finisher when the reason she is one of the best players, in the world and has been since circa 2017 (a very long time!), is the way she manipulates space like no one else can.
You know what? I’m calm today. This is already better than I ever realistically hoped for. Tonight is just a bonus. Enjoy it, drink it in, and hopefully we get something even better on Sunday 🙏
All this discourse about women’s football fandom…
A lot boils down to queer teenagers playing with the ‘canon’ of woso as they begin to form their own identities. Nothing new. Except - unlike fictional characters - it’s being done with real people. Hence… bad stuff.
The replies to this are basically the Spanish version of what Matildas fans were saying during the World Cup. I wonder what it is that fans and pundits see, that coaches don’t seem to.
Very happy to say I’ll be working with FIFA’s English language editorial team this World Cup, helping to bring you exclusive articles and live blogs from the ground.
Only three sleeps to go until the action gets underway. I couldn’t be more excited. What a time, hey?
PM says he supports push to effectively ban trans women from competing in female sports. Applauds “very brave” Liberal women pushing idea. “We will deal with that another time”.
Big ins: Kaitlyn Torpey (debut), Michelle Heyman (!!!!), Chloe Logarzo
Big outs: Kerr (injured), Courtney Nevin, who hasn’t missed out much (ever?) since her debut in 2021. Alex Chidiac also misses out.
It would be absurd, unheard of, history-making if Michelle Heyman wins the golden boot in a team that is on track to finish bottom of the table.
At this rate, you wouldn’t bet against her…
Michelle Heyman celebrates her
@TheMatildas
recall the only way she knows how! 🔥⚽️
The
@CanberraUnited
star's 11th goal of the season gives her side the lead in Perth!
Tune in on 10 Play 📺
📰
#PERvCBR
#ALW
Emina Ekic has announced on Instagram her time in Australia is up after breaking her leg. A real shame, as she was incredibly exciting to watch - I hope she will come back soon!
Presumably, this means Rojas will return to City ahead of schedule after her time in Chile.
To be fair, given the way the industry is going, tweeting racist/sexist/transphobic dog whistles to get “cancelled” so you can accelerate your path to the right wing podcast circuit is probably more lucrative than sports journalism these days anyway 🤪
She’s a great talent and certainly can’t blame her for making this decision. However, I’d really encourage anyone wondering why she hasn’t been in Matildas picture to actually watch a Celtic game. ALW is a much higher standard. It’s unfortunate, but she’s not near the level yet.
I can’t thank
@SophieHillyerd
enough for trusting me with her story. She’s an inspiration for me and others struggling with POTS.
My first article for ESPN 👇
Don't wait another four years to support women's football.
This is what you can do to get behind the next generation of Matildas right here in our backyard 👇
Join your local club now:
Register now for the Liberty A-League Pass:
After Kaitlyn Torpey and Lys Proulx were sold for reportedly around 75k AUD, this is yet another example of how the women’s game is changing.
There is now a financial incentive for clubs to find and develop female players, and a new way to bring money into the league.
Wellington Phoenix and New Zealand star Macey Fraser is headed to the NWSL 🇳🇿➡️🇺🇸
The 21-year-old has joined the Utah Royals in a move that "smashes" the A-League Women transfer record!
Details:
Just quietly, Mary Fowler is looking great for City tonight. This really could be her breakout WSL season - just depends on if she can keep her starting place, perhaps in midfield, when Shaw returns.
For all the shots and possession that England had, they barely had a clear-cut opportunity. A real endorsement of the defensive structure of the Matildas that we’ve seen in the past nine games or so, and executed superbly this morning.
#ENGvAUS
Thanks to Twitter, I found
@LadiesALeague
, which after several years of twists and turns has somehow led me to commentating the A-League Women’s. I’ll be really sad if it dies. I’ll create a public Instagram at some point, I promise!
Heaps of good people, doing their best to make Australian football a better place, have been impacted at the APL this week. On a selfish level, I'll miss the content - but really, it's all about looking after the individuals affected. Solidarity and thoughts with them.
The problem for Brisbane is that they only have one Katrina Gorry. If they had more Katrina Gorrys they would be much more successful. Clone more Gorry. I am not a crackpot.
#SYDvBRI
At age 17, Emma Checker revealed her sexuality to her parents and walked out the door not knowing if she'd ever return.
“No, I can’t change this, and this is who I am.”
Ahead of our inaugural A-Leagues Pride Celebration, this is her powerful story.
I know it’s been a few hours, but listen. The Central Coast is small, and - don’t be fooled by the beaches - it’s a shithole. But for those of us who grew up there, it’s OUR shithole, and we have a professional club that is sending three (3) players to a World Cup. How good.
A very proud coach with three Socceroos in his squad 💪
Have a listen to what Monty had to say after finding out about Garang, Jason and Danny's selection! 📹
Watch the full video 👉
#CCMFC
#WontBackDown
#OurParadise
Since Heyman’s one year break from the game in 2019/20, her numbers have been remarkable.
She has scored 41 goals in 58 ALW appearances for Canberra - a team that has only appeared in finals once in the past 4 seasons.
Yes, she’s 35, but that consistency deserves a call-up.
Played my first football game with POTS tonight. Two 10 minute stints in goals in seven-a-side. I thought I'd never get here again. I promised myself I'd minimise diving, but somehow (magically) was on the ground within 60 seconds. I've never been happier ⚽️🥰
In reality, this is a blanket ban on any trans or intersex woman from competing in athletics. Dreadful, anti-science and anti-human decision. I stand with trans people in sport, always 👊
A highlight from today for me was dead silence from the crowd as Becky Sauerbrunn, legend of the game, was subbed on... followed by loud cheers as Kristie Mewis was subbed on 😂 required some niche knowledge to explain that one to my sister
Selma Bacha will stay with the French squad after spraining her ankle last night. While the injury will almost certainly impact her tournament, it seems like the team believes that she will be able to play a part in the World Cup. Good news!
Des nouvelles fraîches de Selma Bacha -> Victime d'une entorse à la cheville gauche contre l'Australie (0-1), elle va pouvoir rester avec le groupe dans l'espoir de disputer le tournoi. Pour le moment, on ne connaît pas la durée de son indisponibilité.
Huge result, for morale if nothing else. World no5 France not able to find a way through despite an almost entirely changed back-line towards the end of the second half and multiple changes in formation. That Fowler goal will be a huge boost to her confidence as well
#AUSvFRA
I’m someone that cares much more about what happens on the field than off it. I want to talk about the minutia of the game, the tactical and technical.
There’s no analysing last night. It’s just hope, vibes, and faith. That’s what made it so euphoric to win. Just ridiculous.
Today’s the first day in a long time it feels like I might be feeling better. The sun is shining, it smells like spring, I have a new and more effective mobility aid, and I haven’t had a big dizzy spell in 4 days. Positive vibes on this app only 🥰
I am a Herald Sun journalist. “This thing you like sucks!” I type, furiously, formulating my latest article. “Stop cancelling me!” I bleat, as my editor gets praises me for record engagement numbers on Twitter. I repeat this once a week. I earn 6 figures.
Before she met me she’d never been to a football match. Now, my partner is asking unprompted for us to watch a full 90 minute replay of last night’s game. If football was a religion I’ve well and truly led her to God 😂
Canal+ commentator
@ALSalvatico
has reportedly shared on tonight’s Lyon vs. PSG broadcast that Matildas defender Clare Hunt is expected to sign with PSG in the coming days 🇦🇺🌟
So depressing that far right extremists of this ilk are feeling so emboldened in Melbourne. I fear for my trans friends and the queer community as a whole if this continues. I stand with you, always.
Monash City Council has cancelled a drag queen story time event after threats of violence against families, the performer, councillors and staff escalated following a tense protest at its offices.
The vibes were 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 outside Brisbane Stadium ahead of Brazil v France 😍📈
"The World Cup in Australia has been sensational!" 🔥
#FIFAWWC
#DubAtTheCup
#BRA
#FRA
Lily Alfeld deserves this so much. Been one of the better keepers in the league for 2 seasons and finally gets a win, and a New Zealand call up to celebrate. So good. Up the Nix
#CBRvWEL
Nothing I post gets more engagement than baiting transphobes, Jesus.
Generic response - I’ve played cricket my whole life, with and against men, with and against women, with and against trans women. It’s a non contact sport. Go touch some grass.
TG stands by his choice of the injured Kyah Simon in light of the loss of other players: she can step up in big moments if/when necessary, especially extra time and penalties. we might see a "different profile" of player in attack tomorrow but they'll still play their way.
Plenty to discuss in terms of subs, formation, tactical side of things. I think their 3 at the back did us in to be honest, both of our full-backs were under the pump all night. But in terms of the technical, and the execution of skills, I think we were just cooked.
So - it’ll be fixed (apparently it already has) but here’s the thing. You don’t get clout for a rebrand emphasising equality when this keeps happening. We are all so frustrated because it’s so consistent. Let’s hope one day soon the plaudits are actually deserved.
As I prepare to commentate the final ALW game of 2023, how about a little thread of all the things I've done this year? Yes? Let's go.
I am so incredibly proud of achieving everything I have, with POTS. It is a constant battle I overcome every day. It is a badge of honour.
How do you define bravery in football? The penalties are the obvious answer from Saturday but for me, Kyra Cooney-Cross continuously taking on the French press on up there as well.