Natasha Prior has been living out her footballing dream since breaking into the CommBank Matildas squad, and next month comes the next step on the fairytale journey.
Selected in interim head coach Tom Sermanni’s 23-player squad for two friendlies against Korea Republic in April, the Newcastle Jets centre-back is preparing for the exciting prospect of playing for the Matildas at McDonald Jones Stadium for the very first time.
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Prior only made her international debut in late 2024 at the age of 26 after a career severely impacted by several major concussions that almost forced her into retirement six years ago.
Now, she’s a six-cap Matilda preparing to wear the green and gold in front of her home fans.
“It would mean everything,” Prior said.
“Women’s football is big globally and I think there’s a special place for it in the hearts of Novocastrians. We get so many fans at our games just with Newcastle so hopefully they can come out. It will be a loud game for sure.
“Playing at McDonald Jones (Stadium), regardless of what jersey you play in, it feels pretty special. I’m keen to feel what it feels like as a Matilda playing there. Hopefully, the sun comes out and we can get as many people at the game as possible. I’m really excited to be able to do that.
“Any time the fans pull together, it feels very special. It doesn’t matter to me which jersey it is. It feels pretty special to be able to play football here in Newcastle.”
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Now, 27, Prior is eager to use the upcoming friendly series against Korea Republic to solidify herself as a regular squad member – despite still experiencing “pinch-me” moments when arriving in camp and mingling with the squad members who were once her idols, and are now her teammates.
“I was with my parents on the weekend, and mum’s message to me was: go in play strong and keep your spot, basically,” Prior said. “And I think the two upcoming games are just another chance for me to try and prove myself.
“I don’t think that stuff’s really sunk in for me. It still feels when we’re in a team talk, I’m looking around, going like, oh my god, (I’m) around players that I looked up to for so long.
“It’s my it’s my third camp, and I feel settled, but I’m still kind of (in) a pinch-me kind of state, for sure.”
Prior’s emergence as a defensive option for the Matildas has occurred under interim head coach Sermanni, whose decision to bring Prior into the international fold and hand her regular minutes could go down as one of his most important contributions throughout his spell in charge of the squad.
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The Jets centre-back is the daughter of former Premier League defender Spencer Prior, who worked as Matildas assistant coach under Sermanni in 2011-2013.
Having announced his 23-player squad for the Korea Republic series, Sermanni said Prior’s “outstanding” performances for Newcastle Jets made her selection a no-brainer decision.
“The first thing she is obviously a very much more accomplished player than her father was, despite the fact he played in the Premier League a little bit,” Sermanni said with a smile.
“Tash has done exactly (what), as a coach, I want (players) in the A-League Women to do. She’s stood out and come and got herself picked in the team. Players get themselves picked.
“What Tash has done – she’s had an outstanding season, stood out at centre-back, she’s come into the national team, got a debut against Brazil which doesn’t get much tougher, has handled herself exceptionally well and still in here. She’s made her way into the squad and now has the ambition to make her way into the starting team.”
Matildas match schedule – Korea Republic friendly series
CommBank Matildas v Korea Republic
Date: Friday, 4 April 2025
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEDT
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
CommBank Matildas v Korea Republic
Date: Monday, 7 April 2025
Kick-off: 7:30pm AEST
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive
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