It was, in the words of cultural power panellist Dan Rosen, “the calf that stopped the nation”. Not since David Beckham broke his foot in the lead-up to the 2002 World Cup has one injury of one athlete been a talking point across an entire country.

The national ruminating as to whether Sam Kerr would play in the World Cup was a focal point to a cultural phenomenon that drew energy from everywhere. It was a global spectacle played on Australian soil, our biggest cities buzzing with tourists and sold-out matches. A multicultural Australia wore the colours of the world in the stands. On the telly – in prime time – was a home team playing better than pundits had predicted (and don’t we suddenly develop an interest once we’re winning?).