Newcastle Jets star Natasha Prior debuted for the CommBank Matildas in their 2-1 loss to 2024 Olympic Games silver medallists Brazil, while in-form Melbourne Victory forward Emily Gielnik wore the Green and Gold for the first time in more than two years.
In front of a record Gold Coast crowd on Sunday, Prior came off the bench to make her international bow and Gielnik played for the Matildas for the first time since 2022 as Australia suffered back-to-back defeats to Brazil.
Prior replaced Clare Hunt at half-time, while Ninja A-League Golden Boot leader Gielnik entered the fray on the hour as the 55-time international stepped out for Australia for the first time since a 4-1 win over South Africa in October 2022.
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The pair were not the only Ninja A-League stars involved against the South American giants, with Canberra United legend Michelle Heyman and Brisbane Roar captain Tameka Yallop in the starting XI, while Brisbane’s Sharn Frier also came off the bench.
“I thought she did very well,” interim Matildas head coach Tom Sermanni told reporters when asked about Prior.
“This is what’s so important for us and this is what we haven’t done enough of over the last few years.
“We have to put these players in, we have to put them in an environment if we can that is going to be testing and challenging.
“Natasha came through fantastically.”
After the game, Prior was asked about the occasion in front of a sell-out crowd.
“Very good. Very exciting. It was so good to be around the team. Happy to celebrate it with Em’s (Emily van Egmond) 150th and Polks’ (Clare Polkinghorne) sign-off, so milestones all-round,” the 26-year-old defender told Network 10.
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She added: “I’ve been ready since the first game hoping to get the debut.
“Happy to make the transition into the team.”
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Her father Spencer Prior – a former Premier League defender who also was an assistant for Australia, was in attendance Cbus Super Stadium.
Asked if he had any advice, Prior replied: “Don’t mess up. Be confident, slow the play down.
“A lot of coffees with him to calm the nerves.”
