The Matildas’ fearless leader Sam Kerr has undoubtedly had a different World Cup experience from what she anticipated.
A humble skipper who sets the standard with her work ethic, Kerr has so far sat out Australia’s campaign after suffering a calf injury in training the day before the team’s opening match against the Republic of Ireland.
Kerr has been placed on an individual rehab program and relegated to the foreign task of carrying the team’s drinks for the three games so far.
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But while rumours swirl surrounding her availability for the remainder of her home World Cup, it appears the Matildas may have just stumbled on a competitive advantage in Kerr’s leadership from the sidelines.
“Just because Sam wasn’t on the park, doesn’t mean she wasn’t in the team [on Monday night],” Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson told the media after Australia’s 4-0 triumph over Canada.
“The way she leads the team and what she gives to the team off the field as well, it’s not just in the locker room or on the bus but at the hotel and in the media room and the meetings.”
It appears whatever she is doing in camp and however she is supporting her teammates is working, with Gustavsson revealing Kerr sparked the team’s dominant showing against Canada.
“Part of the reason why I think that they were so united and performed the way they did is what Sam said to the team, ‘Make sure you win without me so that I can get another week to train and recover and get healthy’, and the team responded and said, ‘Yes, we will. You sit on the bench tonight and we’ll win for you’,” he said.
“You can all see that conviction and commitment from the players like, ‘Let’s do it so that Sam gets another week of training’, and having that belief as well as a team with my opinion the best striker in the world, which I think Sam is, [being missing] and still going out and playing the football that we did and scoring four goals against the Olympic champions. I think it’s very impressive.”
Making her World Cup debut off the bench on Monday night, defender Charli Grant said having Kerr on the sideline has been invaluable.
“She’s incredible. On and off the pitch her presence is amazing. She gives so much advice to the girls and so much energy to the team,” Grant told media.
“She’s a true leader and we are very grateful to have her.”
This sentiment was echoed by several of the squad’s more inexperienced players, including winger Cortnee Vine.
“I always sit back and think, I have amazing players around me – obviously Sam is one of them,” she said.
“I do look at Sam and I go, ‘Yeah, it’s crazy that she’s sitting next to me and we’re at a World Cup together.”
With Kerr sitting out the group stage, vice-captain Steph Catley took responsibility of the squad as acting captain.
In commending the off-field leadership of Kerr, Gustavsson couldn’t go without crediting Catley’s on-field authority.
He also acknowledged how the two have combined so seamlessly to form a leadership team.
“Steph and Sam have worked as a pair, a captains team, between captain and vice-captain and they’ve complemented each other … really well because they are very different with unique skill sets both as players and persons,” he said.
“They bring out the best in each other as a captains team.
“With Sam’s absence on the field, [Catley] has taken on the massive responsibility on the field and really carried the team. There were a couple of huddles which you would have seen [on Monday] where Steph was leading and communicating and directing and keeping the group [composed].
“The one player and person that always stays composed is Steph. She is so mature and humble with both feet on the ground, but she’s also a winner. She loves to win and play good football with a fighting spirit, and she’s mentally very strong.
“It’s a privilege to coach this team when you have a captains pair like that.”
Kerr is expected to return to the field for Monday’s round of 16 clash with Denmark.
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