Steph Catley and Sam Kerr among absentees from Joe Montemurro’s first Matildas squad

New Matildas coach Joe Montemurro wants to “set the tone” for the future with his first squad.

New Matildas coach Joe Montemurro’s first squad is a “balance of experience and potential” with a host of fresh faces and several notable absentees, including captain Steph Catley and ongoing injury casualty Sam Kerr.

Montemurro has named a 33-player squad ahead of four matches – two against Slovenia and two against Panama – in Western Australia from June 26 to July 8.

Catley, who has captained the national team since Kerr suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in her knee in January last year, has been granted personal leave, along with fellow star duo Caitlin Foord and Katrina Gorry.

Apart from Kerr, others out through injury are Mary Fowler, Tameka Yallop and

recent debutant Kahli Johnson, while Cortnee Vine remains on extended leave.

Matildas captain Steph Catley has been granted personal leave. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Forward Grace Kuilamu and midfielder Adriana Taranto have both earnt their first senior call-ups and are among six uncapped players in the squad, the others being defender Alexia Apostolakis, midfielder Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, and goalkeepers Sally James and Jada Whyman.

“This group represents a balance of experience and potential, and we’ll use this window to connect, experiment, and move forward with clear intent,” said Montemurro, who earlier this month was confirmed as Maildas coach after Tom Sermanni had been interim boss since September last year.

“We wanted to use this window not just to prepare for the matches but to really explore the talent that’s coming through.

“It’s a rare opportunity to work with a broadened squad, give players their first or renewed taste of the environment, and assess where we are as a group.

“This window is about setting the tone. We’re laying the foundations for the next phase of our journey as we build relationships, create an understanding of our style of play, and enhance the high-performance environment that enables our players to thrive.”

Brisbane Roar’s Grace Kuilamu has been named in the Matildas squad for the first time. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Montemurro said Chelsea star Kerr was being “monitored on a day-to-day, week-to-week scenario”.

“She’s on track and we’re working closely with Chelsea also to make sure that she’s ready for the (2025-26) season. Everything’s going in a positive way and going in a direction we feel that’s right,” he said.

Goalkeepers Whyman and Mackenzie Arnold, defenders Ellie Carpenter, Alanna Kennedy and Winonah Heatley, midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross and Clare Wheeler, and forwards Sharn Freier and Remy Siemsen will only take part in the matches against Slovenia on June 26 and June 29, both at HBF Park.

Players only taking part in the games against Panama on July 5 (Bunbury) and July 8 (HBF Park) are Kuilamu, Taranto, Apostolakis, Galabadaarachchi, James, Chloe Berryhill, Bryleeh Henry, Chloe Lincoln and Jessika Nash.

Matildas squad: Alexia Apostolakis (Melbourne City), Mackenzie Arnold (Portland Thorns, USA), Chloe Berryhill (Western United), Ellie Carpenter (Olympique Lyon, France), Kyra Cooney-Cross (Arsenal, England), Alex Chidiac (Melbourne Victory), Sharn Freier (Wolfsburg, Germany), Jacynta Galabadaarachchi (Unattached), Emily Gielnik (Melbourne Victory), Charlotte Grant (Tottenham Hotspur. England), Winonah Heatley (Nordsjaelland, Denmark), Bryleeh Henry (Melbourne City) Michelle Heyman (Canberra United), Clare Hunt (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Alanna Kennedy (Angel City, USA), Grace Kuilamu (Brisbane Roar), Chloe Lincoln (Brisbane Roar), Sally James (Canberra United), Holly McNamara (Melbourne City), Teagan Micah (Unattached), Alana Murphy (Melbourne Victory), Jessika Nash (Central Coast Mariners), Courtney Nevin (Leicester City, England), Natasha Prior (Newcastle Jets), Jamilla Rankin (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany), Hayley Raso (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Amy Sayer (Kristianstads DFF, Sweden), Remy Siemsen (Kristianstads DFF, Sweden), Adriana Taranto (Western United), Kaitlyn Torpey (Portland Thorns, USA), Emily van Egmond (Birmingham City, England), Clare Wheeler (Everton, England), Jada Whyman (AIK, Sweden).

Originally published as Steph Catley and Sam Kerr among absentees from Joe Montemurro’s first Matildas squad