A Brisbane Roar young gun likened to a CommBank Matildas superstar has been tipped to fill a void created by an injured foreigner in the Ninja A-League.
Evdokiya Popadinova hurt her hamstring in Brisbane’s defeat to Wellington Phoenix last week but the Bulgarian forward’s absence could open the door for a 17-year-old sensation.
Step forward Grace Kuilamu.
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The teenage striker, who is continuing to impress after having her 2023-24 cut short by an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, has amassed 77 minutes of action in five substitute appearances for the Roar this term.
But after being compared to Matildas star and Ninja A-League product Mary Fowler, Kuilamu has been backed for a starting role at Brisbane on this week’s episode of Dub Zone, hosted by Amy Duggan.
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“Obviously, Sharn Freier comes back to a wing, Gallop into midfield. So they’ve got to make a decision on Emily Pringle, who had been coming off the bench,” said A-Leagues commentator Teo Pellizzeri, when discussing who could replace Popadinova.
“I like the idea of Grace Kuilamu starting for this team, though very different personality and character to Evdokia Popadinova in terms of she’s very languid and calm.
“But a very natural sort of finisher, almost has Mary Fowler-esque sort of tendencies with how she moves in her shooting ability. So that excites me to see how she potentially comes into this team.”
A-Leagues pair remain a ‘prominent part of the future’ for Matildas
The Ninja A-League was front and centre during the CommBank Matildas’ recent four-game series against Brazil and Chinese Taipei, with 16 players selected across the international fixtures.
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Fourteen of those players features in matchday squads, eight scored goals and there were also debutants but Pellizzeri feels the door has not closed on a couple of other Ninja A-League stars.
Melbourne City’s Holly McNamara is still working her way back from an ACL injury, as is Sydney FC full-back Kirsty Fenton, while injury prevented Central Coast Mariners star Izzy Gomez from making her potential Matildas debut following a maiden call-up.
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“What I will say is, let’s not assume that the next generation just got anointed,” Pellizzeri said. “Just because you missed this squad doesn’t mean you can’t play well in the Ninja A-League and fight your way back in.
“I think that there are two players who are out rehabbing ACLs at the moment, Holly McNamara and Kirsty Fenton. They are still, I think a prominent part of the future of this team.
“I feel so dearly for Izzy Gomez, whose form had been electric, only for an injury in the last game before the camp to rule her out. And I hope she’s not waiting too much longer for that first cap, because she should absolutely be in the mix as well.
“So that’s the angle I’m taking. Congratulations to the players that got in, but certainly not a full stop for other aspirants that may have missed out.”
