Emma Checker, Jenna McCormick and Sara Willacy’s proud Matildas juncture for South Australia
Matildas debutant and Crows AFLW duel premiership winner Jenna McCormick revealed her indigenous game teammates will be watching her every move against Chile at Hindmarsh Stadium.
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It’s a moment in time which could historically define three South Australian Matildas and forever shape their destinies.
The significance of Australia hosting Chile at Hindmarsh Stadium on Tuesday night goes far beyond the national women’s soccer team playing in Adelaide for the first in more than 13 years.
Emma Checker, 23, Jenna McCormick, 25, and goalkeeper Sarah Willacy are three proud ecstatic Croweaters that have been given the chance to shine on home soil by Matildas boss Ante Milicic.
“At the moment you try and treat it like you would any other game but the reality is there is a lot more excitement and hype around it, it’s special, it’s an honour and something for all of us to be proud of,’’ Checker said.
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“The fact that it’s on home turf is definitely a memorable moment for us.”
Checker partnering former AFLW Crows duel premiership winner McCormick is going to prospectively be the highlight of a night against the Chileans.
Neither McCormick or goalkeeper Sarah Willacy witnessed the Matildas play in Adelaide when they were kids more than a decade ago.
Checker has fond memories of watching the Matildas 2006 vintage.
“It’s definitely going to be a highlight,’’ said Willacy, who is hoping to make her Matildas debut at home in front of a record SA crowd of about 10,000 for a women’s soccer match.
The trio were all Adelaide United W-League teammates before Checker signed for Melbourne City this season and McCormick was snapped up by Melbourne Victory after a breakout season with Brisbane Roar.
Mount Gambier-born McCormick’s pending appearance at Hindmarsh after she made a brilliant debut in a 2-1 win over Chile at Western Sydney Stadium on Saturday is tipped to attract Crows fans – her AFLW teammates to the game she said.
“They’ll all be there,’’ McCormick said.
“We’ve organised it to have them come along that’s been a really special chapter of my career and my life.
“They’ve all supported me from the very beginning and I have certainly felt that support through this last couple of months being involved.
“It’s really nice to know that they have sent me off with their blessing and they’re really excited for me and they’re really happy for me to go and chase my dream which is to be here.”
SA was seemingly a safe haven for the Matildas probably because other states weren’t interested in hosting 13 years ago due to the Socceroos playing at the 2006 FIFA World Cup at the same time Australia was hosting women’s Asian Cup tournament for the first time.
It took Adelaide 21 years to host the women’s team in 2000 after the Matildas was born in 1979 – 40 years ago.
In 2006, Australia played six Asian Cup matches in Adelaide losing the final on penalties to China in front of a total 11,349 fans.
International women’s football friendly
Australia v Chile at Coopers Stadium
Kick off: 7.30pm
Referee: Anna-Marie Keighley (New Zealand)
TV: Fox Sports, ABC
Australia squad: Mackenzie Arnold (gk), Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, Emma Checker, Caitlin Foord, Emily Gielnik, Katrina Gorry, Amy Harrison, Elise Kellond-Knight, Alanna Kennedy, Sam Kerr (c), Chloe Logarzo, Aivi Luik, Jenna McCormick, Clare Polkinghorne, Hayley Raso, Karly Roestbakken, Emily van Egmond, Sarah Willacy (gk), Lydia Williams (gk), Tameka Yallop.
Chile squad: Christiane Endler, Natalia Campos, Antonia Canales, Carla Guerrero, Camila Sáez, Fernanda Pinilla, Rocío Soto, Javiera Toro, Su Helen Galaz, Nayadet López, Francisca Lara, Karen Araya, María Francisca Mardones, Daniela Pardo, Yessenia López, Yanara Aedo, Daniela Zamora, Yazmín Torrealba, María José Urrutia, Rosario Balmaceda, Javiera Roa.