The Matildas are finally coming back to Perth and former Australian international Danielle Brogan believes it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to catch Sam Kerr in action in her home state.
Kerr will lead the Matildas in three Olympic qualifiers at HBF Park between October 23 and November 1.
Australia will face off against Taiwan, the Philippines and Iran in round two of the Asian Qualifiers on the path to Paris 2024.
The matches will be the Matildas’ first appearance in Perth since taking on Thailand in a 2018 friendly.
Perth will host five group-stage matches during the upcoming Women’s World Cup, but the city was overlooked for any Matildas or knockout clashes.
It means the Olympic qualifiers in October and November will be a rare chance for Perth-based fans to see Kerr in action.
“There’s nowhere you go where people don’t mention Sam,” Brogan told reporters in Perth on Thursday.
“In an AFL-dominated state, she has put football on the map here. It’s something we all need to continue to grow.
“I know she had big shoes to fill after her brother’s career (Daniel Kerr at West Coast), but I do think she’s gone off on her own.
“To have her playing here as the captain of the Matildas and in the form she is in, I genuinely believe this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Kerr is one of soccer’s biggest superstars and her hot form for Chelsea is a good omen for the Matildas ahead of the World Cup.
Chelsea are on the brink of a fourth straight Women’s Super League title in England after Kerr provided a key assist in a 2-0 win over Arsenal on Sunday.
Kerr says she is looking forward to playing in her hometown again.
“Everyone knows how proud I am to be from Perth and WA, so to be able to come home again with my teammates will be a really special moment,” Kerr said in a statement.
“West Aussies are big sports lovers and some of the best fans in the world, they bring amazing support for the teams that they love and I know they will give us that same energy as we start our Olympic qualification.”