Matildas star Charli Grant spills beans on Mary Fowler, Sam Kerr
Matildas defender Charli Grant has revealed some behind-the-scenes team secrets and the global superstar she would love to see at their next Olympic qualifier. Watch the video.
Matildas
Don't miss out on the headlines from Matildas. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Matildas’ defender Charli Grant has spilled the beans on what really happens inside the soccer team’s camp, revealing many of the players are guilty of sleeping through their alarms.
She said Mary Fowler was one of the culprits who recently “missed a meeting”, and Kyra Cooney-Cross was the biggest bathroom hog “because she’s always stressed about how her bun looks”.
She also said the team’s biggest pest was its captain Sam Kerr.
“You always have to watch you’re back when she’s around. She’s always planning something or trying to rile someone up,” she joked with a smile.
But on a more serious note, Grant said Kerr was “really good at leading by example”.
“I think she really has always stayed true to herself, no matter what. She’s won countless trophies and accolades, so for her I think staying true to herself just inspires the whole team to do the same and follow in her footsteps,” she said.
Grant is leading the charge for the Matildas’ campaign to win their nomination for a TikTok award. To win, she says it’s all about being yourself, and it comes as the word Matilda also became The Australian National Dictionary Centre’s Word of the Year.
“I think it's really important to connect with the fans — they’ve been a huge driver of our success,” Grant said.
“And so to be able to give back to them and show, you know, that we’re just ordinary people and that we love to have a bit of fun off the field is really important – and to inspire them in more ways than just playing football. I think that’s important to show people around just to be true to yourself.”
Grant, who is a self-confessed Swiftie, also said she’d love the pop superstar to attend the team’s next Olympic qualifier match against on Uzbekistan on February 24 or 28 when she’s in town for her Eras Tour.
Grant’s wish comes amid controversy over where Matildas will play their next qualifying game, with Swift and P!nk both performing at major Australian stadiums in mid to late February.
“I done a few TikToks (with Taylor’s music), so I’ve become a bit of a Swiftie fan, but to have either of them at a game would be amazing,” she said.
“But I just think it would be iconic if Taylor Swift came to a game because of our TikTok videos we’ve done with her.”
The 22-year-old, originally from Adelaide, embodies the Swift mantra of “haters gonna hate, hate … shake it off” with online critics.
She said she has received a few negative comments and remembered how tough the first one was.
“It was a bit hard-hitting. But then you focus on the positive things, talk about it with your support network and then you realise there’s no point wasting energy on things like that,” Grant said.
Nominations for the TikTok Awards close December 1. Vote via the TikTok app.
The TikTok Awards will be broadcast live on @tiktok_australia from 7pm AEDT on December 6, and available to stream on BINGE from Sunday December 10.
More Coverage
Originally published as Matildas star Charli Grant spills beans on Mary Fowler, Sam Kerr
Join the conversation
Matildas star shuns A-Leagues for shock transfer move
A Matildas veteran’s new club has been revealed - and it wasn’t what fans expected. ERIN SMITH has the details.
Read more
Mary Fowler act stuns after Matildas drama
Mary Fowler is back in action for Manchester City and she’s produced more fireworks after her Matildas teammate left the club this week.
Read more