As groups for the Paris Olympics have been reaped, the Australian national team gear up to face a handful of unforgiving opponents in the USA, Germany, and Zambia- as a summer of action looms on the horizon.

As the Matildas look to avenge their fourth-place finish at the Olympics of last, Tony Gustavsson should be found scouring the nation to add to his firing green and gold armoury. Recent injury woes have seen the Tillies face a fluctuation in their side’s consistency, and as a golden tournament approaches, it is in the nation’s best interest to be looking past the walls of what we already know so well.

The answers could lie within those reliably consistent, yet so often overlooked.

Kayla Morrison Melbourne Victory

California-born central defender, Kayla Morrison, has recently taken the Liberty A-League by storm. Wearing the armband for Melbourne Victory over consistent seasons, Morrison’s brick-wall presence continually calls for immediate attention.

Having signed for the navy side of Melbourne in the outset of their 2020/21 season, Morrison registered every minute of the campaign in stellar fashion. Picking up eight clean sheets throughout her campaign at centre-half, Morrison was awarded both Player’s Player of the Year, as well as the Victory medal for Player of the Year. The campaign was only topped off as Melbourne Victory brought home the silverware, after a grand final Olimpico from Kyra Cooney-Cross sealed the deal for the Victorian side.

After what was a stellar campaign in navy for the American defender, she looked to commence proceedings exactly as she left them off- registering Melbourne Victory’s first goal of the [then] W-League season in 2021/22. Celebrations were cut devastatingly short, as an off-the-ball challenge saw Morrison leave the field in pain, having sustained a rupture to her anterior cruciate ligament.

12 months of grueling recovery later, and Morrison was back as if she hadn’t left. Fast forward to today, the Melbourne Victory captain still proves to be a pillar in defence- leading the last line with 81% passing accuracy, 80% of duels won, and zero errors leading to opposition goals throughout the duration of the 2023/24 campaign. The Victory defender continues to showcase her strength in dictating play from the back of the park, whilst displaying a tenacious intensity that coins her a nightmare opponent for an extensive list of A-League challengers in the field’s final third.

Though her strengths reside far beyond the statistics sheet, as the Victory captain provides the essential leadership qualities that continue to separate herself from many of her defensive counterparts.

The American defender received her Australian citizenship in November of 2023, making her an eligible and viable option for Gustvasson’s green and gold army going forward. As the likes of Alanna Kennedy (29) and Clare Polkinghorne (35) begin to filter through the system in the nearer future, the Australian last line appears to be thin on the ground.

A recent friendly encounter with Mexico saw the Tillies reign victorious, as a 2-0 victory allowed the green and gold to fly past their opponents. Despite the win, Tony Gustavsson’s lineup featured Steph Catley in the centre-back position, as a thin squad list meant that the Aussie captain would have to adapt to a role she has grown well used to playing over recent years in the times that the Tillies have faced a build-up of injury woes.

Morrison proves to be an incredibly logical answer to any questions that may arise surrounding the future of Australia’s defence, as the Victory captain continues to leap from strength to strength. Recently named in the Liberty A League Team of the Season, Morrison continues to prove her strength amongst a league of high-talent- shouting for a chance in the green and gold.

Sarah Hunter Paris FC

Paris FC’s  Sarah Hunter is a name that Australian football fans should get used to. The versatile and efficient midfielder burst onto the scene as a 17 year old with the Western Sydney Wanderers in 2021- after scoring a brace against Adelaide United in the A-League Women.

Since then, Hunter has gone from strength to strength. After moving across town to Sydney FC, she came off the bench to net a 97^th minute winner in the 2021/22 semi final, before taking on a larger role and dominating midfield while scoring four goals in the 2022/23 campaign.

Hunter was a mainstay in the double winning side and was named The PFA Young Player of the Year at the end of season awards. The young midfielder was the key player in Sydney FC’s midfield, directing play from deep, winning the ball in vital defensive moments and scoring some spectacular goals as they marched to a top of the table finish and Grand Final win. 

It has often looked as if Hunter has been making up for lost time. Injuries kept her out of football for prolonged periods as a junior, but she did not look out of place in senior football once her chance arrived.

Hunter has found game time harder to come by since moving to the French capital, but she is seen by many as the future of the Matildas midfield. After a stunning performance, and equalising goal against Costa Rica at the 2022 U20 World Cup, she carried that form into the U23 side in the AFF Championships.

Australia’s current midfield is talented, though it can be said that the green and gold may be lacking in depth beyond the squad that finished fourth at the World Cup. Katrina Gorry has hinted at retirement, and Hunter has played a tactically similar role to the West Ham United midfielder during her time for Australia’s youth teams.

She is an intelligent but hard-working footballer with an ability to read the play beyond her years and technique that sets her apart even in Australia’s prodigy-filled youth system.

Statistics do not paint the full picture in her extensive list of qualities. An instinctive midfielder and aggressive passer with excellent movement, she sets up play from around halfway but is always eager to get forward and finish off moves. As a box to box midfielder, holding six or playmaker is comfortable on the ball in all areas of the pitch and has a passing range and tenacity that recalls the player she might eventually replace.

Hunter’s meteoric career has seen some challenges recently. A senior Matildas debut came in a 5-0 loss to Canada, and although she has started some UEFA Women’s Champions League and Cup games for Paris FC, her minutes on the pitch have been fewer than she would be used to.

But at just 20 years old, it is safe to say that opportunities will continue to arise. Although she has already achieved so much, she is still at the very beginning of a promising career. More Matildas caps beckon for one of Australia’s most complete midfielders.

Keep an eye on Sarah Hunter, not only because of her potential, but because she is extremely fun to watch.

Sophie Harding Western Sydney Wanderers

24 year-old Sophie Harding was fast to impress from the outset of the current Liberty A League season, as the Western Sydney Wanderers striker deemed herself to be an exciting presence in the goal-scoring department.

A pillared presence in the Wanderers front line was Harding, earning herself twelve goals across the 21 game season in red and black. The young Australian talent has showcased her dynamic strive in possession, whilst proving to be aggressive in the press.

Having been called up for Tony Gustavsson’s side for the Matildas February’s Olympic Qualifiers squad, Harding didn’t retain her place as the Tillies met with Mexico in a recent friendly face-off. Though with 39 shots on target registered throughout the league campaign, Harding’s creative prowess deems her a viable option for the Matildas as they head into a Summer Olympic Games without the presence of Sam Kerr.

Mary Fowler has proved her worth across multiple positions as she excels in Gareth Taylor’s Manchester City line up over recent months, showcasing her dynamic presence in the wide areas, whilst also remaining dominant through the central areas. While the Matildas lack a bolstering presence in the centre of the front line, Harding’s skill set seems to be a perfect mould for what Gustavsson’s side may require on the search for Olympic Gold.

As Harding continues to develop through the seasons in the A-League Women, the exciting forward is sure to be one to keep an eye on as she continues to jump from strength to strength in her limitless career.