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Erin SmithSports reporter

Erin Smith is a sports reporter for the National Sports Network and CODE Sports. She is die-hard sports fan with a passion for football, women’s sports and Olympics.

@_Erin_Smith

Erin Smith

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Football

Avaani Prakash will go from her final HSC exam to her first game of the A-League season in mere hours.

Pens down, boots on: Young gun goes from HSC to A-League in hours

Before Western United’s teen star Avaani Prakash can take the field for their opening A-League clash she has to finish her final HSC exam – 880km away from the rest of her class.

Football

Michelle Heyman and Canberra Utd coach Antoni Jagarinec.

How Canberra locked in reborn Matildas strike weapon’s return

She was the most sought after player in the A-League Women’s off-season but while everyone else was scrambling to secure Michelle Heyman’s signature, new Canberra United coach Antoni Jagarinec was driving her to the airport.

Football

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 03: Michelle Heyman of Canberra United crosses the ball during the A-League Women round four match between Sydney FC and Canberra United at Leichhardt Oval, on January 03, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

A-League Women’s: Team by team guide for season 2024/25

As teams prepare for the start of the new A-League Women’s season, ERIN SMITH takes a deep dive into how each of the 12 clubs’ squads line-up, the star players and some predictions for the campaign ahead.

Football

Natalie Tobin says planning a wedding was more stressful than playing in an A-League grand final. Pictures: Getty Images/Instagram

’It was awful’: Wedding stress trumps grand final for football star

With four A-League grand finals under her belt, Sydney FC captain Natalie Tobin is no stranger to stress. But she says the pressure of organising a wedding topped them all.

Women's Football

DUISBURG, GERMANY - OCTOBER 28: Kyra Cooney-Cross of Australia scores her team's first goal during the Women's international friendly match between Germany and Australia at Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena on October 28, 2024 in Duisburg, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Matildas gun shows what she can do without Fowler shackles

Having taken the World Cup by storm last year, Kyra Cooney-Cross has reminded us all just how special she can be during the Matildas’ shock win over Germany, scoring one of the goals of the year.

Football

MARSEILLE, FRANCE - JULY 31: Michelle Heyman #2 of Australia is defended by Naomi Girma #4 of the United States during the Women's Group B match between Australia and USWNT during the Olympic Game Paris 2024 at Stade de Marseille on July 31, 2024 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI/Getty Images).

Top 30 stars: Who are the A-League Women’s players set to shine?

From homegrown heroes Michelle Heyman and Hanna Lowry to international stars Danelle Tan and Mebae Tanaka; here are ERIN SMITH’s top 30 A-League Women’s players to watch this season.

UpdatedWomen's Football

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - OCTOBER 25: Mary Fowler of Australia warms up prior to the Women's international friendly match between Switzerland and Australia at Stadion Letzigrund on October 25, 2024 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Arnd Wiegmann/Getty Images for Football Australia)

1-1 in Zurich but Mary Fowler’s Matildas struggles continue

The Matildas came away with a draw against Switzerland in Zurich in their first game under Tom Sermanni but a new coach wasn’t able to unlock the attacking flair of Mary Fowler.

Football

New Brisbane Roar chairman/CEO Kaz Patafta. Picture: Supplied Brisbane Roar

Club mutiny over Roar deal in Queensland

Queensland NPL clubs are threatening a mutiny over a deal between Brisbane Roar and Football Queensland. ERIN SMITH explains the reality behind the confusion.

Socceroos

JAKARTA, INDONESIA - SEPTEMBER 10: Head Coach Graham James Arnold of Australia looks on during the FIFA World Cup Asian 3rd Qualifier Group C match between Indonesia and Australia at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on September 10, 2024 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images)

Graham Arnold‘s Saudi coach eligibility revealed

Graham Arnold quit as Socceroos coach in September declaring he needed a break. Now, with the Saudi Arabia job open, is the former Australia boss able to take the job?

Football

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 23: Majaj Markovski poses during the Canberra United A-League Women's Season Launch Media Opportunity at McKellar Park on October 23, 2024 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images for A-Leagues)

Back-to-back titles to scrap heap: Rising star grabs second chance

Maja Markovski went from winning consecutive ALW championships with Melbourne Victory to being uncontracted at age 20 – here is how she fought her way back to the elite level.

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