Whilst there may be a few household names called up to the latest CommBank Matildas squad there are also plenty of new names who have had their fine Ninja A-League form reconised.
With two games against Brazil and another two against Chinese Taipei on the horizon in late November and early December, aleagues.com.au takes a look at the fresh faces hoping to gain some minutes under interim head coach Tom Sermanni later this month.
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Isabel Gomez (0 caps): Central Coast Mariners
Fast becoming one of the most consistent and important central midfielders in the competition, Gomez has been called up following a strong start to the season with the Mariners.
An ever-present for the side that reached the Ninja A-League Semi-Finals last season, Gomez has carried on her good form into the new campaign, scoring a brilliant goal in their opening 3-1 win over reigning Champions Sydney FC whilst also helping her side pick up a point on the road at Western United.
A former Wellington Phoenix midfielder, Gomez is the first-ever Phoenix player past or present to receive a CommBank Matildas call-up.
Jessika Nash (1 cap): Central Coast Mariners
Heading into national camp alongside her Mariners teammate Gomez will be one-time Matilda, Jessika Nash.
Having joined the Mariners from Melbourne Victory in the off-season, Nash previously made her senior Matildas debut aged just 17 when playing against the USA in 2021.
Since then the central defender has gone on to establish herself as captain of the Young Matildas side and skippered Australia to a third-place finish in both the 2024 U20 Women’s Asian Cup and led them at the 2024 U20’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
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Hana Lowry (0 caps): Sydney FC
Potentially joining Gomez in the heart of the midfield could well be Sydney FC’s new ball-playing midfielder, Hana Lowry.
An off-season recruit from Perth Glory, the 21-year-old has been one of the most talked about young talents in the country for a few seasons now having been a regular for both the Junior and Young Matildas sides.
Lowry has featured in both games for Sydney FC so far this season and is expected to become a mainstay of coach Ante Juric’s reigning Champions.
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Leah Davidson (0 caps): Melbourne City
23-year-old midfielder Leah Davidson has finally been handed a senior call-up to the Matildas squad after entering her fifth season with reigning Premiers, Melbourne City.
Another player who has featured prominently for Australia at youth team level, Davidson has been an ever-present in a Melbourne City side consistently challenging for honours in the Ninja A-League and will join up with the national team squad for the two games against Chinese Taipei to be played at AAMI Park and then Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium.
Bryleeh Henry (2 caps): Melbourne City
One of three Melbourne City players called up to the Matildas squad, Henry already has two caps to her name, the first of which actually came against Brazil back in 2021 when she was just 18.
Now 21, Henry’s recall to the national team comes after an impressive season in which she helped Melbourne City clinch the Premier’s Plate, featuring 19 times in several positions under then head coach, Dario Vidosic.
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Karly Roestbakken (7 caps): Melbourne City
The third and final member of the current Melbourne City crop called up for national team duty is defender Karly Roestbakken.
With 7 caps to her name already, the full back initially made her debut for the Matildas during a memorable 3-2 win over Brazil at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup when she was just 18 years old.
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Unfortunately a series of injuries subsequently stunted the now 23-year-old’s international career however her consistent performances for City in the last two seasons have seen her earn a return to the national team set-up
Natasha Prior (0 caps): Newcastle Jets
After extending her stay with the Newcastle Jets for another two seasons back in July, the good news just keeps on coming for defender Natasha Prior.
After making 24 appearances for the Jets in a memorable 2023-24 Ninja A-League season which saw them reach the Semi-Finals, Prior’s consistency and strong performances at the heart of the Newcastle backline have seen her included in the upcoming Matildas squad for the very first time.
Matilda McNamara (1 cap): Adelaide United
Looking to add to her debut cap for the Matildas is Adelaide United’s appropriately named central defender, Matilda McNamara.
Having recently returned to the City of Churches for another spell with the club following a stint in Denmark, McNamara has been recalled to the squad after helping Adelaide win their most recent clash in the Ninja A-League – a 2-0 away win over Western Sydney Wanderers.
A powerful central defender, McNamara made her debut for the Matildas in November 2022, coming off the bench in a 2-0 win over Thailand.
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Chloe Lincoln (0 caps): Western United
Having been included in the most recent Matildas 23-player squad for the games Switzerland and Germany, Western United goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln has once again been called up by interim head coach Tom Sermanni.
Despite not having made her debut for new side Western United following an off-season switch from Canberra, Lincoln will be one of four goalkeepers vying for selection when it comes to the games against Brazil and Chinese Taipei.
A second senior international call-up comes after Lincoln won a bronze medal with the Young Matilda at the 2024 AFC Under-20 Women’s Asian Cup and also represented her nation at the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in September.
