Meet Charli Grant, the Matilda who could define Australia’s World Cup charge
Charli Grant is no ordinary defender – her instinct and drive to attack could be just what catapults the Matildas deep into the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
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In one breathtaking play of pure attacking instinct Matildas’ defender Charli Grant showed she has the potential to deliver a special moment and define Australia’s World Cup performance.
Grant is a football rarity — a defender with an insatiable thirst and ability to attack — her drive to be part of the action at both ends of the pitch will be what sets the Matildas’ up for success in this World Cup.
The world saw first hand how lethal the smiling assassin can be when she put an end to the Lionesses 30-game unbeaten streak with a seemingly impossible goal.
The match was almost three months ago, a warm up for the World Cup.
Captain Sam Kerr put the Matildas on the board but Grant sealed the win – making an unforgettable run through the midfield before flying through the air to knock a well-placed cross from Kerr into the back of the net.
A traditional defender would not have even been in the position Grant was in — well beyond the halfway line — fighting to be part of the action.
The 21-year-old can still remember the lead up to the goal.
“It felt like it happened all in slow motion,” Grant said.
“I just remember when Sam was getting the ball and I didn’t see many people in the box and thought I’ll just run in and hope for the best and provide another option.
“When I headed the ball I didn’t even see where it went, I looked around and saw everyone running towards me and realised that I’d just scored a goal.”
It’s a moment Grant said would never forget.
“I sometimes see (the video of the goal) pop up on my feed and it’s so special to see that back and to play for my country is an honour and to get a goal as well, words can’t explain it,” she said.
EARLY DAYS
Her first state coach Michele Lastella said a running left back is just what Grant has always been.
Lastella coached Grant’s under-15 Adelaide side in 2018.
“I remember thinking (the first time I saw her play) she was extremely agile and just a breath of fresh air,” Lastella said.
“When she was in our team she had that much physical prowess. She played a similar role to what she plays today, a defender but with an attacking threat.”
Lastella said he wasn’t surprised to see Grant make a 50m sprint to position herself for the goal in the game against England.
It was something he had watched her do game after game.
“(Grant) was a defender but she would be in the backline and the front line all at the same time because she was that quick and had that many repeat efforts in her,” Lastella said.
“She was able to get up and back and up and back all day with intensity and speed.
“During that 2018 season she was our leading goalscorer and she was our left back.
“It was just so normal to see her every week running up and down scoring. She just loves the game.”
While speedy and agile Lastella said Grant still had plenty of work to do before making the Matildas side.
But hard work wasn’t something she was afraid of.
“She was determined to do the extras,” Lastella said.
“Charli would be on the pitch before training working on her dribbling through cones or crosses and that was when I thought, that is a player that is going to make it. Not because of her skill but because she was willing to put in the work outside the game and training.”
CAREER EXPLODES
Her success helped her make the leap from Adelaide United to FC Rosengard for the 2021 and 2022 seasons before transferring to Vittsjo GIK for the second half of 2022 and the 2023 season — alongside Aussies Claire Polkinghorne and Katrina Gorry.
“It feels like home having them there as well,” Grant said.
“I spend a lot of time with Mini (Gorry), we get along really well. She has been really great for me on and off the pitch and really helped me develop my game and have confidence in myself.”
This season Grant has played 12 games and scored one goal for Vittsjo GIK — who will be halfway through their season when they break for the World Cup.
“I’m so glad I made the move over to Sweden, it’s really helped improve my technical game,” Grant said.
“I think that’s something that I did lack before coming to Sweden. It’s made that transition to the national team as easy as it can be. I’m playing against really tough opponents as well. “You come across hard wingers each week and different style winners so it’s testing my defence and it has been really helpful.”
GREEN AND GOLD FOR LIFE
Playing for the Matildas had always been the goal.
It was what motivated Grant to be the first to training and the last to leave every session.
Grant’s first Matildas game arrived on October 21, 2021 against the Republic of Ireland.
She was part of the group of young, unblooded players coach Tony Gustavsson was desperately trying to prepare for the 2023 World Cup.
At times Gustavsson was criticised for his decisions, which lead to a rocky path for the Matildas, with few wins.
When Ellie Carpenter tore her ACL in May 2022, Grant was Gustavsson’s first choice replacement.
Finally the kid from Adelaide with an engine that can run all day and speed to burn was free to show what she could do.
The injury riddled team struggled to string much together in the FIFA window but it gave Grant the chance to grow.
“It’s just been about trusting the process,” Grant said. “We knew it was going to be a difficult road because we were playing against top opposition and that can put at risk of getting those not the best results
“It’s been really great that we have had a lot of different players come in and get that experience and I think we’ve grown with a lot of depth as well and also built a really strong game plan going into the World Cup.”
While a World Cup had always been Grant’s ultimate dream she never imagined her first would in her backyard.
“A World Cup on home soil is incredible and to have it in my career it is really special,” Grant said.
“I’ve always dreamt of playing in a World Cup but never thought it would be at home so I’m doing everything I can to put my best foot forward for the selection.”
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