Sam Kerr hunting glory for club and country
Sam Kerr will lace it up for Perth Glory as she starts on a road that could end with World Cup glory.
“I’m tired,” Sam Kerr says. She’s been up since 5.30am. No cartwheels here. She yawns and rests her right elbow on a stand that holds the W-League trophy.
She seems quite the top chick. No diva. She leans next to the silverware as casually as someone about to drag on a cigarette in the middle of an especially hectic day.
She ponders next year’s global event that will make her the most lauded athlete in Australia, bar none, if the result goes the desired way. The women’s soccer World Cup will be staged in France.
If Australia win a World Cup in the world game you can forget the Ashes, the cricket or rugby World Cups, or the returns to Test cricket of Steve Smith and Dave Warner, as the most compelling yarns of the year.
If the Matildas win the World Cup final at Park Olympique in Lyon on July 7, Kerr is likely to have been up to her neck in it … and there may be no greater yarn to be told on these pages.
She looks less tired at the mention of it.
“This is our strongest chance ever,” she says. “We’ve got some of the best players in the world — Steph Catley, Alanna Kennedy, to rattle a few off. It’ll be nice to go in with a bit of pressure this time.
“We’ve always been the dark horse. If we can get to the quarter-finals, semi-finals, it’s anyone’s game. We’ve shown against the likes of USA, Japan and Brazil recently that we can do it with the best. And in a final, as you know, anything can happen. Our chances are strong but there’s still a lot of work to do.”
Kerr is plonked next to Japanese superstar Keisuke Honda for photographs at the launch of Australia’s next festivals of the boots.
The A-League starts on Friday night. Adelaide host Sydney. The W-League starts next Thursday, Western Sydney versus Sydney. Honda’s a decent signing for Melbourne Victory given he quit the sport for good after last year’s World Cup. If there’s one thing difficult for a man to ignore, however, it’s an earbashing sales pitch from Victory coach Kevin Muscat, so here’s the most impressive Honda since the Fireblade motorbike, in the deep blue shirt of the premiers. Archie Thompson admits to a bit of a man-crush.
Honda has a commanding presence. He’s been there and done that; AC Milan are one of the clubs on his resume. He speaks slowly but assuredly. “I announced to retire after the World Cup,” he says. “In that time, I got a call from Melbourne Victory. I spoke to the manager, Kevin … the ambition made me change my mind. One more time, I want to try the challenge. Also, I have decided to try to play at the 2020 Olympics at Tokyo.”
Later, Honda says: “When I talked to Kevin, the first time, I was in the US. He told me what he wants to achieve this season. He was not satisfied even though he won last season.
“He wants to improve more. In my heart, I was really happy to hear that. I wanted to help. Maybe I have some experience to help them. That’s why I am here. I am used to the pressure.
“Many times in Italy and Russia and for the national team, I have made people disappointed and also I made people happy. That’s the life. I don’t have any magic. I just have to do my best every day. I’m thinking to enjoy this season with Melbourne Victory supporters and teammates.”
Kerr will lace it up for Perth Glory after deciding to play at home rather than abroad in the build-up to the World Cup.
“It was a bit of a stressful time, to be honest,” she says of the decision-making process. “The World Cup is the most important thing and I think this is the way to put my best foot forward for the World Cup.
“I’m comfortable at home. I always play well for Glory.
“Europe was my other option. I said last year I wanted to go to Europe this year, but it didn’t happen. We’re really proud of our league.
“To bring a championship to my home state, hopefully this year is the year.
“Home is where I play my best football. The big drawcard for me was to come home, keep healthy, keep fit and keep comfortable in who I am before the World Cup.
“Being home, you’re more relaxed, you can do what you want, prepare how you want. That changes everything for me … and there’s less cooking of dinner. Mum takes care of that.”
Kerr is the W-League’s first marquee player. Her six-figure salary is three times the deal she used to be on.
“It’s a huge honour,” she says. “It’s something I’m really proud of. Hopefully it’s a step in the right direction and one day there can be one in every team. That’s the aim for the girls.
“I think I earned that marquee title from things I’ve done previously.”
Asked why she’s become so successful, the current Young Australian of the Year says: “I’ve really started to take care of myself. I know my routine now. I know what makes me happy.
“My personal life off the field is much more important than what happens on the field. When I’m happy off the field, I play well. I just think I’ve found a really good balance between my football and personal life.”
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