How Sam Kerr’s return from ACL injury, court case drama will shake up the Matildas

ALW TACKLE: Sam Kerr is in the headlines for all the wrong reasons at the moment - but the star striker is set to make a return to the football field that will shake up the Matildas.

Michelle Heyman has made an impact for the Matildas in Sam Kerr’s absence. Picture: Getty

Court case aside there is plenty of talk that Sam Kerr’s return to the football field is not far off and Michelle Heyman is doing everything in her power to prove to any future Matildas’ coach she still has a role to play.

Heyman’s Matildas career has taken a hit before from then rising teen sensation Kerr.

It was only after Kerr did her ACL that former Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson recalled the in-form A-League’s Women’s striker to fill the striker role.

Heyman, 36, has done it admirably too – getting the Matildas through to the Olympics, and several other sticky situations on the field.

With the Matildas currently under the guidance of interim coach Tom Sermanni every game the athletes play is an audition for whoever takes on the top job.

Heyman’s handy goal in a crucial moment against Central Coast Mariners has her sitting on six goals from 13 matches for the season – just one behind the Golden Boot leaders.

She struck just after half time. United were down 0-1. Maja Markovski twisted and turned past four Mariners players before delivering a perfect ball to Heyman’s feet.

Come for a Michelle Heyman goal, stay for the assist 🪄😮‍💨 The Matildas star with a textbook strikers finish!

How about the ball from Maja Markovski to make it all possible 👏

Watch #CBRvCCM live NOW on Paramount+ and 10 Play 📺 pic.twitter.com/1KZleF2ZSo

— Ninja A-League (@aleaguewomen) February 8, 2025

And while it looked like an easy goal – scoring that in a high pressure situation, is never simple.

But it didn’t phase the ever-cool Heyman – who levelled the scores and kept Canberra’s hopes of climbing into the top six and finals contention alive.

It wasn’t an easy tussle.

Mariners were full of confidence after their 5-1 win over Newcastle Jets last round.

English imports Jade Pennock and Brooke Nunn were standouts for the Mariners – their on field chemistry proving too much even for experienced Canberra defender Liz Anton.

After keeping Canberra mostly at bay for the first half, Mariners finally got on the scoreboard in the 39th minute.

It came on the back of a brilliant run from Nunn. She then lobbed the ball to Pennock who deftly controlled the ball, beat Anton and then slipped it past the keeper.

After conceding, the Mariners put the pressure on but couldn’t get through as easily as they had in the first half, despite having 60 per cent of the ball.

Michelle Heyman (R) looms as the biggest loser in Sam Kerr’s imminent return. Picture: Getty

Tensions flared as the clock wound down – Canberra calling for a penalty after a player was brought down in the box – but the referee didn’t see it that way.

With neither team able to find the net, despite their desperate attempts – both sides had to share the points.

It puts Mariners just two points ahead of Canberra and leaves both teams in the finals race.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Adelaide 3 (Erin Healy x2, Chelsie Dawber) def Perth Glory 0

.@AdelaideUnited's new American superstar strikes AGAIN! 👏👏

This was the moment Erin Healy sealed her brace in the 93rd minute. One of the signings of the season! 🤩

📰 Match report: https://t.co/PAPgdDFLLRpic.twitter.com/tDZlBeyaxk

— Ninja A-League (@aleaguewomen) February 7, 2025

Adelaide United have made it very clear they plan to challenge for the title this season with a dominant 3-0 win over Glory. Healy’s brace means United now have four players who have scored five or more goals this season – the only club to do so. Their depth up front is proving crucial to their success this year and a massive turn around from last season where Adelaide finished at the bottom with just 21 goals for the season. They already have 27 goals from 15 games.

Longo's corner 🚚
McCutcheon's header 🔥

Some stunning set piece play at Porirua Park!#WELvMVC is LIVE on Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/ODcM6R5FZw

— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) February 8, 2025

Wellington Phoenix (Maya McCutcheon) 1 draw Melbourne Victory 1 (Nikki Flannery)

Victory were given a fight when Phoenix scored off a corner just two minutes into the match. It put the visitors on the back foot and gave Phoenix a surge of energy. Victory tried to regain control in the second half. It was super sub Nikki Flannery who proved the key scoring just moments after entering the field in the 61st minute. The game opened right up as both teams scrambled to find the winning goal but neither team could find the net. With just minutes left on the clock Victory’s Emily Gelnik attempted to find a way around Wellington keeper Carolina Dias but the shotstopper thwarted the striker’s attempt to ensure Phoenix didn’t walk away empty-handed. The draw keeps Victory in second place, ahead of Adelaide United on goal difference.

Melbourne City 2 (Laura Huges, Holly McNamara), Newcastle Jets 0

Melbourne City have kept their unbeaten streak alive after two late goals, including one to returning Matildas forward Holly McNamara. The 22-year-old has proved her ACL issues are well in the past with her 85th minute goal taking her tally to six for the season. Jets certainly had plenty of chances with 21 shots at goal but just five were on target. City dominated possesion and eventually made two goals stick. City now sit seven points clear of second placed Victory, but have played an extra game.

Originally published as How Sam Kerr’s return from ACL injury, court case drama will shake up the Matildas