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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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ExclusiveFootball

MARSEILLE, FRANCE - JULY 31: Kaitlyn Torpey and Alanna Kennedy #14 of Team Australia look dejected following the Women's group B match between Australia and United States during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de Marseille on July 31, 2024 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

‘Let ourselves down’: Matildas veteran’s cold hard truth

Alanna Kennedy knows the Matildas have ‘let themselves down’ since their World Cup run. She details the problems that have brought them undone as they look towards the Asian Cup.

Football

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 04: Kaitlyn Torpey of Australia controls the ball under pressure from Choo Hyojoo of Korea Republic during the International Friendly between Australia Matildas and Korea Republic at Allianz Stadium on April 04, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Matilda reveals Kerr impact, and how key change could lift side

The Matildas’ match on Monday is expected to be Tom Sermanni’s last as interim coach and Kaitlyn Torpey thinks the resolution of a permanent national coach can help the squad improve.

Netball

HOLD FOR SUNDAY MAIL 6/4. Firebirds coach Kiri Wills with co-captains Ruby Bakewell-Doran and Hulita Veve at Nathan Arena ahead of the start of the 2025 Super Netball season. Picture Lachie Millard

‘Big change’: Past issues of no concern for new Firebirds’ coach

Following a horror 2024 Super Netball season for Queensland’s Firebirds, the club has undergone a ‘big change’ heading into the new campaign.

Football

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 04: Sam Kerr of Australia congratulates teammates after winning the International Friendly between Australia Matildas and Korea Republic at Allianz Stadium on April 04, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

How a forced restart brought winning feeling back to Matildas

The Matildas were without a number of their Olympic stars and yet, the forced restart caused by line-up and combination changes did the trick for a much needed confidence boost.

Netball

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 16: Kayla Graham of the Thunderbirds looks to pass the ball during the 2025 Suncorp Team Girls Cup match between the Adelaide Thunderbirds and the West Coast Fever at Netball SA Stadium on March 16, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images)

‘New weapon’: Unique journey inspiring Hong Kong-raised T-Bird

Kayla Graham is the only addition to Thunderbirds premiership winning 2024 squad, but the Hong Kong-raised attacking weapon is using that as motivation to make the T-Birds even better.

Football

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 04: Emily van Egmond of Australia celebrates an own goal by Lim Seonjoo of Korea Republic during the International Friendly between Australia Matildas and Korea Republic at Allianz Stadium on April 04, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Van Egmond strike the difference as Matildas scrape home

The Matildas have ended a three-game losing run with a 1-0 victory over the Korea Republic in Sydney as the interim coaching spell of Tom Sermanni draws to a close.

Women's Football

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 16: Teagan Micah and Ellie Carpenter of Australia look dejected after the team's 1-3 defeat and elimination from the tournament following the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Semi Final match between Australia and England at Stadium Australia on August 16, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Matildas rocked as star duo ruled out, another in doubt

The Matildas have suffered a major blow heading into their two-match series against Korea, with two key players ruled out, and a third in significant doubt.

Sport

Midcourter Verity Simmons is back for the 2025 Super Netball season signing with NSW Swifts. Photo: Netball Australia

How mystery phone call dragged Diamond out of retirement

Verity Simmons walked out on netball two years ago and thought she’d never return. Until a mystery phone call swiftly ended her AFLW career – and reignited her Super Netball one.

Sport

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 19: All Stars Head Coach Joe Montemurro reacts during an A-League All Stars Women Open Training Session at Casey Fields on May 19, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images for APL)

Matildas’ dilemma: The question Australian football wants answered

Last year the stars almost aligned for the Matildas to land their dream coach. They’ve been coachless, and on a downhill slide, since. And everyone in Australian football wants one question answered.

Giants Netball

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 16: Maddie Hay of the Giants looks to pass the ball during the 2025 Suncorp Team Girls Cup match between the Giants Netball and the Melbourne Vixens at Netball SA Stadium on March 16, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images)

‘Break your pelvis’: Giants gun reveals tough road back to netball

Giants midcourter Maddie Hay was playing through serious pain for years. Now she’s opened up on how she was left unable to walk, with a hip dysplasia diagnosis and an unknown path back to the court.

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