Matildas call-up Sharn Freier on how ACL injury made her stronger

Sharn Freier’s call up to the Matildas might have been a surprise to many - including herself - but it has shown her that anything is possible.

Erin Smith

@_Erin_Smith

2 min read

April 6, 2024 - 6:01PM

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 02: Sharn Freier of the Roar breaks away from the defence during the A-League Women round 18 match between Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City at Perry Park, on March 02, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

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If there is one thing Sharn Freier has learned from her surprise first Matildas camp it is that she wants to do it again and again and again.

The 22-year-old Queenslander was called into the squad just days before the team boarded a plane bound for a camp in Florida – ahead of the Matildas friendly with Mexico this week.

She was part of a trio of late call-ups along with Emily Gielnik and Winonah Heatley – to replace injured players Courtney Nevin, Katrina Gorry and Clare Hunt.

Freier took up football, alongside her twin Laini, when she was about six years old.

The only time she has stopped playing was when she ruptured her ACL in 2021.

It ruled her out for a season but reminded her how much she loved the game.

“It definitely made me stronger,” Freier said.

“When you do your ACL you are stuck in the gym for the majority of the time. It gave me an understanding of how important it was, even after I’d done my ACL recovery and had gone back to playing I prioritised gym just as equally so I could stay at that level.”

It paid off. It has been her efforts on the field for Brisbane Roar – alongside Matildas teammate Tameka Yallop – that caught the attention of national coach Tony Gustavsson.

Freier hadn’t been expecting a call-up. She didn’t even know she was on the radar. She was out shopping for an outfit to wear the Brisbane Roar end of season awards when her mum called in tears telling her to check her emails.

Freier played in all 22 matches in the A-League’s women’s competition this season – netting three goals and registering five assists. She led the league in overall chances created.

The speedy winger said her form came down to confidence.

“The more gametime you get obviously allows you to be more yourself out on the field,” Freier said.

“I think I just played a bit more freely and Alex (Smith), my coach, allowed me to do that and brought out what I can do.”

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 02: Sharn Freier of the Roar and Leah Davidson of Melbourne City challenge for the ball during the A-League Women round 18 match between Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City at Perry Park, on March 02, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Getting her first taste of a national camp has put Freier on a mission to stay in the program.

“It’s given me more of a drive to want to be better and playing and training with the girls even for a couple of days it’s crazy,” she said.

“It’s a challenge but it makes you want to be better. It’s intense, everyone’s expected to do well and the environment is something that I’m honoured to be able to join.”

With an Olympics looming Freier’s chances of another call-up to the national squad in the near future are slim. But that hasn’t squashed her hopes.

“I’m taking everything that I’ve learned,” she said. “I’m going to focus on being an option to be in even the under-23 years team for the competition coming up at the end of May. I just want to use everything I’ve learned to continue to build and hopefully improve and keep going.”

The Matildas will play Mexico on Wednesday at 10am (AEST).