Potential Matildas debutants under injury cloud after weekend of A-League carnage

Several Matildas players are racing the clock to prove their fitness for this week’s friendlies against Brazil after three potential debutants suffered injuries during the ALW Unite Round.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 23: Isabel Gomez of the Mariners gets medical attention during the round four A-League Women's match between Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne Victory at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, on November 23, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Sydney FC goal sneak Mackenzie Hawksby could emerge as a midfield option for the Matildas if players are forced out of Tom Sermanni’s squad following a weekend of carnage in the A-League women’s competition.

Hawksby was outstanding for the Sky Blues in their 1-1 draw with Melbourne City in the ALW grand final rematch, scoring in the sixth minute and creating the only real chances of the second-half in a performance that will remind Matildas hierarchy of her potential.

The match was not as happy for teammate Hana Lowry, Hawksby’s fellow midfielder who was due to head into camp with the Matildas this week ahead of matches against Brazil and Chinese Taipei over the next fortnight.

Hana Lowry of Sydney FC is in doubt for the Matildas after an injury while playing against Melbourne City. Photo: Getty Images

Lowry left the field after an awkward fall in the 70th minute and was due to have scans on her knee on Sunday night.

Lowry, 21, was one of several players under a cloud after a tumultuous Unite round for Matildas squad members over the weekend.

Central Coast midfielder Izzy Gomez is another under an injury cloud after suffering a knee injury following a collision with Melbourne Victory’s Eloise Wilson during the second half of the 1-1 draw at Jubilee Stadium on Saturday, while Newcastle defender Natasha Prior was suffered an ankle injury in her team’s 1-1 draw with Western United.

Like Lowry, Gomez and Prior had been on the cusp of making their senior Matildas debuts after being called into the squad last week.

Experienced forward Michelle Hayman also limped off in Canberra’s 1-1 draw with Perth - the fourth such result of the weekend - sending a scare through the Matildas camp but was able to return to the match.

In the final Unite Round match, Hawksby’s right-foot bullet into the side netting filled the Sky Blues with confidence after a lacklustre start to the season.

Isabel Gomez of the Mariners gets medical attention during the round four.. Picture: Getty Images

They didn’t hold the lead for long though, with Lourdes Bosch continuing her outstanding season in front of goal, netting her third of the season despite the equaliser coming off Sydney keeper Brianna Edwards, whose parried her attempted save over the goal line.

Hawksby had arguably the best scoring chance of the second half when her 66th minute shot went just wide of the left post, while she also created opportunities that the Sky Blues were ultimately unable to capitalise on.

Coach Ante Juric said any decision on whether to call Hawksby into the Matildas’ squad was up to the coaches.

“But for me, I’d highly consider her, she’s been excellent for two or three years, probably one of the best players in the league, so you wouldn’t go wrong with her,” Juric said.

“She’s got a specific kind of role she plays, so as long as they utilise that, she’ll do well with the Matildas if she gets the call-up.”

Sermanni was already facing a midfield shake-up considering Katrina Gorry and Clare Wheeler had already been withdrawn from the upcoming camp after sustaining injuries while playing in the English Women’s Super League.

Katrina Gorry had already been withdrawn. Picture: Getty Images

Having named a 36-woman squad though, Sermanni wasn’t looking at any replacements but if Lowry and Gomez remain under a cloud he may be forced to draw on more players.

Meanwhile, Juric was far from worried about a slow start to the season, despite the draw leaving Sydney FC with just one win from their opening four matches.

“We’ve not had a good start for five years so and we always end up somewhere,” he said.

“This is no different to the others. We don’t win championships in the first two rounds or three rounds or four rounds.

“Last year will mid-table in the middle of the season, so I’m not bothered by it.”

Brisbane Roar sit top of the table after their 4-0 win over Western Sydney on Friday, with Melbourne City pushed into second spot after their draw with Sydney FC.

Originally published as Potential Matildas debutants under injury cloud after weekend of A-League carnage