From Year 12 exams, captaining the Young Matildas and making her starting debut in the Liberty A-League, to embracing her Aboriginal culture. Adelaide United teenager Emilia Murray is making a splash this season, writes Sacha Pisani.
“When you’re proud of who you are and content with yourself in general life, you play so much better on the pitch.”
Happy away from the football field, happy on it. Right? It is clear when you see Adelaide United’s teenage sensation Emilia Murray, on a scholarship contract, stepping out for the Reds in the Liberty A-League.
Murray has already ticked off two major career milestones after just two rounds of the A-League Women season – a first goal and a maiden professional start.
The key to unlocking the 18-year-old’s game? Her Aboriginal culture.
“Just accepting who I am and being proud of who I am. Walking on the pitch knowing I’m proud of my background,” Murray – a Dhudhuroa and Yorta Yorta woman with Greek heritage on her mother’s side – told KEEPUP ahead of Adelaide’s top-of-the-table showdown with Western United.
I always wear a band around my wrist with the flag on it. And sometimes I write little sayings or Aboriginal symbols to help me get through the game when maybe I make a mistake. I look at my wrist and it helps me keep going.
“When you’re proud of who you are and content with yourself in general life, you play so much better on the pitch.”
‘Oh my God’: Her first goal
Forget reigning Julie Dolan Medallist and Golden Boot winner Fiona Worts or Chelsie Dawber, the match winner against premiers Sydney FC in Round 1 was a Young Matildas prospect.
Having signed on for 2022-23 following 10 substitute appearances last season and 11 goals across 12 matches in all competitions for Football SA NTC in the NPLW, Murray produced the decisive moment of the game in the 88th minute.
For Murray, it was a long time coming. She had been involved with Adrian Stenta’s Adelaide squad for a number of seasons.
“Oh my God, I was in complete shock,” Murray, who described Worts and Dawber as mother figures to her, said as she recalled the moment the ball went into the back of the net. “I think I’ve maybe scored one other header and that was five years ago.
“I kind of jumped up and swung my head. I couldn’t believe as you could probably see from some of the photos. It was literally the best feeling, there is no other feeling like it. Hearing the crowd and then all the girls jumping on top of me.”
‘It’s what you live for’: Her first start
With one milestone chalked off, there was another in Adelaide’s 1-0 win over Perth Glory in Round 2.
Murray enjoyed her maiden start as the Reds made history – winning back-to-back games to start an ALW season for the first time.
“It was the best feeling. We knew that day what we needed to do. We wanted to make history,” she said.
“All the girls got around me. I was a bit nervous but I knew my job and what I had to do. I think I contributed well to the team.
“It’s the best feeling just walking out there. Even the Welcome to Country, just standing up there among the starting XI and hearing it. It’s what you live for.”
‘What the heck?’ Captaining the Young Matildas
Leah Blayney’s Young Matildas took part in the 2022 Pacific Women’s Four Nations Tournament earlier this month, coming up against Solomon Islands, Fiji and Papua New Guinea women national teams.
The captain for that tournament? A girl in the final year of school. And the moment Murray discovered she would be wearing the armband?
“I’m finishing year 12 and I just got into camp, about to do my maths exam online. Then Leah pulled me aside, gave me a hug and told me I’d be captain for the tournament,” Murray said.
“It was the last thing I expected. I’ve never really captained a side, so for it to be my first time and the Matildas, it was crazy.
The whole time doing the exam, I was like what the heck? It was craziness. It was such a huge honour and great experience.
“It’s like a pinch-me moment. It’s crazy.”
Murray’s father and uncle played AFL, but football was always the way for the Football SA product.
“As a kid, my mum got me to do everything. I even tried AFL. There was one night, I was maybe six years old and this big girl just came towards me and cleaned me up. After that, I was like mum I don’t want to play AFL,” she laughed.
“So I’ve always played football as well. It got down to football and athletics. I was doing that up until I was nine and then I just chose football. It gives me so much freedom and happiness.”
Following in Kerr’s footsteps
She has already captained the Young Matildas, scored her first goal in the Liberty A-League and made her first professional start.
But it is just the start for Murray.
She has big dreams and is eyeing the path walked by a Matildas superstar, who has taken women’s football by storm after emerging from the A-Leagues.
“100%. That is the end goal,” Murray said when asked if representing the Matildas the aim.
“Play Matildas. Kind of follow Sam Kerr’s career. Play Matildas then go to Europe, play in the Women’s Super League.
“I want to use the A-Leagues to get more experience, put myself out there more. With Asian qualifiers coming up, just impress everybody as much as I can, show them what I have. Then hopefully work my way up to the Matildas.”
