The 12 rising stars in line for a shot in the Matildas
The Matildas are coming off their best World Cup performance, and have a generation of young stars ready to take them to the next level - including this ‘can’t miss’ 16-year-old prospect.
Football
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A 5-0 thumping by Canada probably wasn’t how Sarah Hunter and Charlize Rule pictured their Matildas debuts but they have highlighted why coach Tony Gustavsson had his eyes on them.
In a team filled with inexperienced players against a top-10 nation, the young stars gave it their all during a very difficult assignment.
With stalwarts Aivi Luik, Clare Polkinghorne, Lydia Williams, Katrina Gorry and Tameka Yallop to be aged between 35 and 42 when the next FIFA Women’s World Cup rolls around, rising stars such as Hunter and Rule will soon have to step up.
They aren’t the only young footballers waiting for their chance to shine in the green and gold.
Here are 12 young women just waiting for their chance to pull on a Matildas kit – no matter the situation.
AMY SAYER
Amy Sayer has had a tough run to crack into the Matildas side but made her debut in 2018. A foot injury added a few hurdles and meant it took her five years to make the squad. Sayer honed her skills in the American college system playing for Stanford University before a stint with Swedish club Kristianstads DFF. She has been part of the national team set-up as captain of the under-23 squad. The 22-year-old midfielder played in all three of the Matildas’ Olympic qualifiers in Perth and earnt a spot in the starting side for the clash against IR Iran.
SARAH HUNTER
The 20-year-old midfielder earned a call-up to the Matildas squad for the friendly against Canada – her first senior camp after being a mainstay in the under-23 national side. Hunter’s football career had a rough start because of two hip operations, a broken ankle and ACL reconstruction that keeping her mostly off the pitch for six years, including her Junior Matildas camps. She made her A-League debut in 2020 for Western Sydney Wanderers before joining Sydney FC. She was named the A-League Women’s Young Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season, which earnt her a contract with French club Paris FC.
CHARLIZE RULE
A crafty defender with a love for pushing forward with the ball, it’s no surprise she has earnt a shot in the green and gold. Rule, 20, was a training player for the Olympic qualifiers before being called into the squad for the friendly against Canada. She got her start at Sydney FC before making the move to English Women’s Super League side Brighton Hove & Albion this season. She has played in all eight matches.
JADA WHYMAN
While not as young as the others on this list, Whyman is young in goalkeeper terms. The 24-year-old, who plays for Sydney FC, is likely to be called in as the third-choice keeper to replace Lydia Williams when she retires. Whyman was part of the extended Matildas squad for the World Cup and has been called in for the Canada friendlies. She has fought her way back into the squad after a lengthy battle with knee and shoulder injuries.
HOLLY MCNAMARA
While missing out on her long-awaited return to the Matildas squad when she tore her ACL days after being selected, the 20-year-old cannot be ruled out. The Melbourne City star has had a rough few years with three ACL tears but has battled back from the injury before. The striker is the leading scorer in the A-League with six goals in the opening rounds.
INDIANA DOS SANTOS
The 16-year-old prodigy has been part of the youth national team and is sure to be a star. Last season, she became the youngest player and goalscorer for Sydney FC in her breakout campaign. The striker was part of the Young Matildas squad that competed in the AFC Women’s Under-17 Asian Cup qualifiers this year and has played in three of Sydney FC’s four matches this season.
CHELSIE DAWBER
A formidable striker, she has spent the past few seasons playing in multiple domestic leagues and has rarely had a break from the sport. She is back at Adelaide United following a two-year stint with Chicago Red Stars, which included a period on loan to Swedish outfit IFK Norrkoping. Dawber scored one goal in her 16 games in the Swedish competition. She has played just one game for Adelaide United this season. She returned after the league started but had an assist in her first match. She is also a member of the under-23 national team.
WINONAH HEATLEY
She has come a long way since starting her career in Cairns. The 22-year-old defender plays for Nordsjaelland in the Danish league and was named co-captain this season. Heatley began playing for Brisbane Roar in the A-League and joined an NPL club in the off season to keep her fitness up and hone her skills. She caught the eye of Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson last year and was part of an extended national team camp but just missed the cut to make the squad.
POLLY DORAN
The outgoing defender is one of a growing number of Australians to play in England. She made the move from A-League club Melbourne Victory to Crystal Palace, which plays in the Championship – the league below the WSL. Doran made 26 appearances across all competitions in her breakout season and scored a goal. She was offered a one-year extension and has starred again this year. She has even tried out a new role on the wing.
MACKENZIE HAWKESBY
She was a standout during her time in the A-League. She spent most of her time at Sydney FC, with whom she scored 13 goals in 49 matches. She joined WSL club Brighton Hove & Albion this year and has played one match. While a member of the under-23 squad, Hawkesby has had a taste of playing in the senior national team. The midfielder was called into the national squad last year for friendlies against Spain and Portugal but didn’t get a run.
ANNA MARGRAF
The striker is continually evolving as a player through lengthy stints in some of the world’s biggest football competitions and has played a huge role. Margraf got her start at Brisbane Roar in the 2018-19 season before she earnt a contract with German side SV Meppen. She played in 22 matches, 16 of them in the starting side, and scored two goals. This season she has joined Sporting Heulva in Liga F, where Matildas star Haley Raso plays for Real Madrid. She has played in eight of the side’s 10 matches.
HANA LOWRY
The 20-year-old midfielder is taking the A-League women’s competition by storm this season with two goals in six outings for Perth Glory. It is her fifth season with the club and she had a standout campaign in 2022-23 when she scored four goals. Lowry is regarded as one of the best young prospects in Australian football. She was part of the Young Matildas squad at the Under-20 World Cup and has recently been named in the under-23 national side. Lowry is constantly adapting her game and finding new ways to impress on the field.
More Coverage
Originally published as The 12 rising stars in line for a shot in the Matildas
Kidnap twist as shocking Kerr video drops
Ugly body camera footage played in court shows Sam Kerr “humiliated” a police and called a taxi driver a “stupid c***”.
Defender wants Sydney to see ‘best’ of him
Sydney FCs defensive options have increased with the signing of an experienced centre-back and the emergence of a young talent.