Matildas star Katrina Gorry hints at uncertain international future after Paris Olympics
Katrina Gorry has made some very loud hints her time in the green and gold is coming to an end. She is determined to go out with a bang.
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Katrina Gorry has made some very loud hints the 2024 Olympics will likely be her last major tournament in the green and gold and she is determined to go out with a bang.
The 31-year-old who joined West Ham United’s WSL team this year, had a standout first half performance in the 10-0 win against Uzbekistan, before being taken off at halftime for load management reasons.
Gorry, who was joined in her post-match press conference by her daughter Harper, said what the team has achieved over the past 12 months still hasn’t quite sunk in.
“I don’t think it will really sink in until we start preparing for the Olympics,” Gorry said.
“It’s such a special occasion and it’s so nice to be on home soil to celebrate with the rest of Australia because they’re what brought us here and the amount of support we’ve had in the last year has been absolutely incredible.”
Gorry competed at the Rio Olympics but missed the Tokyo Games as she was heavily pregnant with Harper.
Watching her team finish fourth in Tokyo and being a vital part of the side that missed a medal at the World Cup is what’s driving Gorry to keep her boots on her feet for now.
“All these things drive you and ignite something in you as an athlete,” Gorry said.
“We always want to win. We can compete against the best.
“I think we’ve shown that at the World Cup and in the last couple of years. It doesn’t matter who we play, we’re always going to show up.
“It’s sad, obviously being the last major tournament for some of us but I think it could be a pretty special one. To go out with a bang would be pretty amazing for all of us.”
There are just 18 spots up for grabs in the Olympics roster and while it would be a massive shock to see Gorry left out the workhorse midfielder doesn’t consider her place locked in – especially with the depth the national team has at the moment.
“We have the depth now and its going to be tough for the coaches to pick that final team,” Gorry said.
“For Michelle (Heyman) to come back in and score as many goals as she did and (Kaitlyn) Torpey, who also brought so much energy to this team.
“Regardless of who is on the pitch, we’re ready, we’re confident and the World Cup will only drive us to get better and to hopefully get a medal (in Paris).”
ALWAYS EVOLVING
The re-addition of Heyman into the squad led coach Tony Gustavsson to alter Gorry’s role slightly for this match against Uzbekistan.
Gustavsson said Gorry did it perfectly – proving she was able to play in tight spaces, break the lines, make runs from deep in behind the backline – and most importantly connect with Heyman.
“Now when you look at the roster (for the Olympics),” Gustvasson said.
“You look at what type of players you need. You need a game changer, starters but you also know how big I am on connection and chemistry.
“I also need to see who fits to play together and I was extremely impressed tonight to see the connection between Mini and Michelle.
“So for me it’ snot just about the quality of one individual player, it’s about the chemistry between players. So when I select the squad for the Olympics I might leave some players out of that roster that is better individually but it’s about building the best team to get the right players in the right positions with the right mindset and then have the chemistry out there.”
Gorry, who had played alongside Heyman for years before her five year hiatus from the national team, said they had no problem getting back in sync.
“She brings something different,” Gorry said.
“The energy that she brings, not just on the field, but off the field is something pretty special. “Not many players can bring that kind of energy into a camp and I’ve definitely missed her. “It’s been a long time since she’s been by my side and I think it just feels like home having back in camp.
“I think she’s really showing what she’s capable of.
“She’s worked so hard to get back here and for her to now reap the rewards.
“ I’d love to play another Olympic Games with her.
“So we’ll both be working hard to get ready for those selections, and hopefully we can continue to be back on the pitch together.”
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