Matildas news: Mary Fowler scores first double, Clare Wheeler, Remy Siemsen make squad

She was the youngest on the pitch but this Bankstown teenager has saved face for the Matildas in their shock loss in Ireland while another NSW talent made her debut.

Mary Fowler battling Ireland’s Niamh Fahey at Tallaght Stadium.

Teen football sensation Mary Fowler has scored her first double for the Matildas in a stunning performance by the former Bankstown City Lions player.

The 18-year-old is fresh off her first Olympic campaign where the Matildas finished juts out of the medals in fourth place in Tokyo.

In Ireland overnight, the Matildas again failed to taste success in their match against the Republic if Ireland host nation but Fowler was a standout for Australia in the 3-2 loss in what was also Sam Kerr’s 100th match.

Mary Fowler and Kyra Cooner-Cross looking less than happy after the loss.

It was Fowler’s 16th international and her third and fourth goals for the Matildas women’s football team.

Fowler, who attended Bankstown High School and played with sisters Ciarn and Louise at the Lions, has more recently been suiting up for Montpellier in France.

She scored her debut goal for Australia in June prior to the Olympics.

Fowler turned heads as a 15 year old when she scored 10 goals in six games for the Young Matildas.

Soon after she cracked her first Matildas squad for the Tournament of nations.

The match also saw the international debut of former northern beaches based footballer Clare Wheeler.

Mary Fowler scored twice for Australia in the loss.

INCREDIBLE! GOALLESS FOR SEVEN SEASONS. NOW A MATILDA!

A decision to leave behind the security of a full-time job to become a full-time footballer is paying big dividends for this NSW player who had to wait seven seasons to score a goal.

Clare Wheeler, who broke her drought in a match for Sydney FC in March this year, left the club in July to play with 11-time Danish Champions Fortuna Hjørring.

Now the move is paying out big with Wheeler, born in Coffs Harbour and who played for both Sydney FC and Newcastle Jest in the W-League, added into the Matildas squad and now making her international debut against Ireland.

Clare Wheeler heads the ball while playing for the Newcastle Jets.

Midfielder Wheeler, who had been living at Dee Why before her move overseas, and forward Indiah-Paige Riley were late additions to the squad which fell 3-2 to Ireland on September 22.

The pair were bought in to replace Ellie Carpenter from the Central Coast and forward Kyah Simon from Blacktown.

Wheeler, who started playing at age 10 for Adamstown Rosebud and was in the Young Matildas, was one of six uncapped players in the squad while Riley earned her first cap in April against Germany prior to the Tokyo Olympics.

Wheeler has attributed her rise in form - and ability to score - to Sydney FC coach Ante Juric who gave her the freedom to play a more attacking role.

Clare Wheeler has been invited into the Matildas squad.

SYDNEY FC, MANLY UNITED GUN REMY SIEMSEN’S REACTION TO MATILDAS SELECTION

Sydney FC and Manly United footballer Remy Siemsen knew what she wanted to be from the age of four.

Not 17 years on she is about to make it happen - kind of.

The 21-year-old originally told her parents she wanted to be a Socceroo even before she made it to school before being told she had a better shot at becoming a Matilda.

Remy Siemsen has made her first Matildas squad.

“My dream has literally come true, the dream I have had since I was four, representing my country like this,’’ said Siemsen, named in the Matildas squad heading to Ireland this weekend for a Friendly on September 22 and training camp.

“I can’t believe this. I am so excited,’’ Siemsen said.

The Matildas, who missed a bronze at the Olympics, will be without injured gun Caitlin Foord for the match against the Republic of Ireland but sporting uncapped players in Siemsen, Melbourne Victory captain Angela Beard, defender Charlotte Grant, Brisbane Roar youngster Jamilla Rankin and former Roar defender Winonah Heatley.

Remy Siemsen with a teammate.

The Matildas are starting a new international cycle which involved major events like the AFC Asian Cup, the FIFA women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023 and the Paris Olympics in 2024.

Siemsen said she woke to her phone buzzing and an emails telling her she had made the Matildas squad for the trip to Ireland.

“I woke up to all these missed calls and messages and then ran into my parents room at the crack of dawn and woke them up with the news,’’ said the player from Frenchs Forest.

“That’s when the waterworks started.

“It’s such a huge opportunity. I won’t be taking it lightly.’’

“I’m going to be like a giant sponge and just soak it all up.’’

MATILDAS SQUAD 2021: Mackenzie Arnold (GK), Angela Beard, Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, Emma Checker, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Mary Fowler, Emily Gielnik, Charlotte Grant, Amy Harrison, Winonah Heatley, Alanna Kennedy, Samantha Kerr (capt), Chloe Logarzo, Jenna McCormick, Teagan Micah (gk), Courtney Nevin, Clare Polkinghorne, Jamilla Rankin, Hayley Raso, Kyah Simon, Remy Siemsen, Emily van Egmond, Lydia Williams (GK), Tameka Yallop.

Read more from AMANDA LULHAM HERE

Originally published as Matildas news: Mary Fowler scores first double, Clare Wheeler, Remy Siemsen make squad