Tiahna Robertson switch from hockey to football came with one condition... then it backfired
Tiahna Robertson’s mum let her switch to football under one condition, she’d play in what she thought was the safest spot on the field - countless fractures later she’s a Sydney FC shot-stopper.
Tiahna Robertson had to beg her mum to let her switch from hockey to football when she was 11 years old.
And she caved under one condition – Robertson play in what her mum thought was the safest position on the field – goalkeeper.
By the time her mum realised goalkeeping wasn’t as safe as it first appeared it was too late – Robertson was hooked and a natural talent.
Now 22, the Sydney FC shot-stopper has lost track of how many fractured fingers she has had.
Her most serious injury was in 2020 – suffering an open compound fracture to her finger in a training session with the Newcastle Jets. It didn’t stop her training but meant she couldn’t play for four months.
Robertson’s journey to the elite level has been a roundabout one but it all happened very quickly.
After making the switch from hockey to football she was signed to an NPL club straight away. From there she joined the Newcastle Jets academy.
Robertson waited patiently for a call up to the senior squad until late in the 2023/24 season. It was the Jets’ last game and regular keeper Izzy Nino was suspended so coach Ryan Campbell phoned Robertson and signed her as an injury replacement player.
There was a lot of pressure – Newcastle needed to beat Adelaide to lock in a spot in the finals.
The Jets went on to win 8-0 and Robertson made seven saves. She got to play the next week in the elimination final as well.
Robertson made several appearances last season before signing with Sydney FC for the 2025/26 season.
She expected to be the second choice keeper behind United States import Heather Hinz. But an injury to Hinz early in the season has put Robertson back between the sticks.
She has had three starts and kept three clean sheets – helping Sydney to second place on the ladder.
“I wasn’t expecting to play, but it’s been good to get the opportunity,” Robertson said.
“One of my goals from a young age was to play in the A-League and I didn’t think I could actually reach that point. After I left the Jets I never got a contract, so I went and played NPL and it has all just fallen into place.”
Like most elite athletes Robertson has had to make sacrifices to achieve her goal. She has had to move away from her family in Newcastle – relocating to Sydney and finding a new job. She landed at Bunnings, working as a forklift driver.
While she dreams of one day playing for the Matildas her immediate focus is on Sydney FC’s next match with cross town rivals Western Sydney Wanderers.
Wanderers have had a rocky start to the season with just the one win from four games.
It will be Robertson’s first derby game.
“I have seen the intensity that it brings and the thrill that it brings to the players and the crowd, it’s like no other match,” Robertson said.
“The girls are definitely eager and ready to go.”
Sydney certainly go in favourites having not conceded a goal against the Wanderers in 11 games over five years.
While there is the extra pressure Robertson said coach Ante Juric had warned them about getting too caught up in the emotion.
“(His message) is we don’t change how we play, yes it’s a derby match, it’s going to be tough but as a team if we can focus on what we are trying to implement in training every day and create it in a game we can come out on top on Sunday,” she said.
Sydney FC will play Western Sydney Wanderers at Marconi Stadium at 5pm Sunday (AEDT).
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AROUND THE GROUNDS
Melbourne Victory vs Canberra United
Kick off: 7pm, Friday, Home of the Matildas
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Central Coast Mariners vs Newcastle Jets
Kick off: 5pm Saturday, Polytec Stadium
The stadium was packed last week when the Matildas took on New Zealand - and this F3 derby should also pull a big crowd. Jets have had a solid start to the season and are yet to lose a match while reigning champions Mariners have struggled to find their groove under new coach Kory Babington.
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Melbourne City vs Wellington Phoenix
Kick off: 3pm Sunday, Ctrl: cyber pitch
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Adelaide United vs Brisbane Roar
Kick off: 4.50pm Sunday, Coopers Stadium
Brisbane Roar have had two weeks off and five players on international duty - they will have to switch on properly if they want to compete against Adelaide on the road. Adelaide have had a mixed bag of results this season with a win, a draw and a loss from its three games, they will be keen to build some momentum.
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Western Sydney Wanderers vs Sydney FC
Kick off: 5pm Sunday, Marconi Stadium
Sydney FC go in with the upper hand having conceded zero goals against the side in 11 matches over five years. Wanderers have won just one game this season so will be desperate to get some more points on the board.
BYE: Perth Glory
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