‘Their moment to shine’: Why Matildas’ great Heather Garriock believes Australia can win medal in Paris without Sam Kerr

One of Australia’s most capped Matildas’ player believes the team has their “best opportunity” to medal at an Olympics – even without their superstar striker Sam Kerr.

How the Matildas can win a medal without Sam Kerr. Picture: Izhar Khan / AFP

One of Australia’s most capped Matildas believes it is their “best opportunity” to medal at an Olympics, even without their superstar Sam Kerr.

Heather Garriock, who led the Matildas and played 130 matches, said the way the experienced team handled the high pressure of the home World Cup means they are well prepared in an Olympic group dominated by football powerhouses.

The team is without Kerr who has had a knee reconstruction, and will begin their campaign against world No. 4 Germany, but Garriock admitted the Matildas face an incredibly tough opposition in a “group of death”. Some pundits have picked them to finish last in their group but Garriock remains optimistic.

Garriock speaking at a 1974 Socceroos Commemorative Lunch in June, 2024. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images for Football Australia

“One player doesn’t make the team, Sam will be cheering from afar,” Garriock said.

“Sam’s a great leader, and someone that has scored crucial goals for the team, but for this tournament we’ve got other players that can do that that as well, it’s their moment to shine.”

“You’ve got young players like Mary Fowler, Clare Hunt and Kyra Cooney-Cross who will be given the opportunity and responsibility and it’s their time to shine … they’ve played in the best leagues in the world and been under pressure, quite a lot, so it puts them in good stead for these Olympics.”

Paris presents another opportunity for Mary Fowler and others to shine in the absence of Sam Kerr. Picture: Steve Christo – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

Garriock, a two-time Olympian, is the ‘head of delegation for the Matildas’ in France and believes the team will do well in the pressure cooker environment of the Games – and hopefully survive an “incredibly tough” pool.

Last year’s home World Cup saw the team attract a string of sold out crowds and a record television audience which peaked at nearly 12 million for their semi-final against England, Garriock said this was a perfect preparation for France.

“I don’t think they can have any more pressure than what they had endured in a home World Cup,” Garriock said. “I think the team and the players and the coaching staff really handled the pressure outstanding. And big moments win games … obviously, that England game was a tough one to swallow …”

“But at the same time, I think the team is in the best position to create more history at this Olympic Games, and I think the core group of players have been together for a very, very long time.”

Garriock said the opening match of the tournament will be a good gauge of where the team is at with the world No. 5 the United States and Zambia, who has star striker Barbara Banda.

Barbra Banda will pose a significant threat. Picture: Jan Kruger – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

“To play Germany, which is one of the powerhouses in European football from the get go, will give us a good measuring stick. And it’s going to be a tough game and ultimately, if you can get the result in that game then you can start to plan strategically,” she said.

“The second game is Zambia. Everyone thinks Zambia won’t be difficult, but Barbara Banda is top goalscorer of the NWSL. She is an extraordinary striker.”

“She’s going to be a handful. And so our centre backs are going to have their work cut out.”

“And then for our the third game, America; that’s going to be an unbelievable game. We’ve only beat America once in the history of the Matildas.”

The Matildas will open their Olympic campaign against Germany. Picture: Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/picture alliance via Getty Images

On the eve of the Games the Matildas themselves have said the ultimate goal is a medal after finishing fourth at Tokyo 2020. The team has not won a medal at a major tournament since the Asian Cup in 2010. Garriock was part of that team 14 years ago. This time she hopes the Matildas finally get the silverware, especially after their fourth place finish in Tokyo.

“I don’t think it unachievable coming away with a medal, the country is behind them and I think with the Matildas playing at the best clubs in the world and playing more game time has puts us in good stead to prepare, it’s tournament football and moments win games and we have the players that can produce these moments,” Garriock said.

Garriock was a member of the Matildas team at the Sydney and Athens Olympics and scored the goal again Greece in 2004 which was the first win for Australia at an Olympic tournament.

“Looking back, it really was a highlight of my career and one I will remember forever, it’s an honour to have been part of both of those Games,” Garriock said.