CommBank Matilda Winonah Heatley said that she was enjoying the style of play that new Head Coach Joe Montemurro had brought to the team.
Heatley was voted Player of the Match by fans after an eye-catching performance at centre-back in the team’s 1-1 draw with Slovenia on Sunday evening.
“It’s super special to get voted [player of the match] by the fans, it’s a big honour, and I'm really grateful,” she said.
“It was fun out there tonight, and it felt like we were moving the ball a bit more and building towards something pretty special. I'm liking the way we're playing, and I'm liking getting on the ball a bit more.”
Despite the result not going Australia’s way, there were passages of slick movement and pinpoint passing that created a number of opportunities.
Heatley said that it felt fun on the pitch as the team continued to build in their first camp under new management.
“It felt like we were having a bit more possession, meaningful possession, and being bit more patient on the ball, which was which felt really nice,” she said.
“We definitely seemed a bit more on the same page. Tonight, we took care of the ball a bit more, and there were fewer turnovers.
“There's definitely still a lot that we can work on, but on the whole, it felt like we were tighter together and supporting each other more.”
For her club FC Nordsjælland in Denmark, Heatley plays as a centre-back week in, week out. It meant that the transition at the national team level from a defensive midfielder to the centre of defence was a smooth one.
“I like playing anywhere I can play on the pitch, but centre-back is somewhere I'm playing at my club, and somewhere that feels a bit more second nature to me,” she explained.
“So it's nice to get to play for my country in a natural position as well.”
The squad will now have a period of turnover as a number of players depart, and others come into camp on Monday.
They will prepare to take on Panama in a two-game series on Saturday and Tuesday.
“It's about continuing to build on what we're creating,” Heatley said.
“It's about that meaningful possession, moving the ball with purpose, looking to break lines when it's on, and not forcing that ball forward.”
Series Two
CommBank Matildas v Panama
Date: Saturday, 5 July 2025
Kick-off: 2.30pm WST / 4.30pm AEST
Venue: Hands Oval, Bunbury
TV Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: Buy Tickets
CommBank Matildas v Panama
Date: Tuesday, 8 July 2025
Kick-off: 6.00pm WST / 8.00pm AEST
Venue: HBF Park, Perth
TV Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: Buy Tickets
