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Sam Kerr’s sense of humour was on full display moments after arriving in Perth on Monday.
The Matildas superstar, in her home town ahead of three Olympic qualifiers, was spotted cheekily wearing a t-shirt featuring teammate and goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.
The pair travelled from the United Kingdom together after playing in the Women’s Super League (WSL) for Chelsea and West Ham respectively last weekend.
It is in stark contrast to when the Matildas last played in Perth in 2018, where just 7549 fans saw them outclass Thailand 5-0.
Sam Kerr ‘s sense of humour was on full display moments after arriving in Perth on Monday (pictured, wearing a t-shirt featuring Matildas teammate Mackenzie Arnold)
The 30-year-old striker will be a key figure in Olympic qualifying matches against Iran, the Philippines and Taiwan
Fast forward five years, and about 100,000 fans will watch them across three games as they take the first step towards securing a berth at the 2024 Olympics.
The Matildas are now a national treasure – rubber stamped by their heroics in reaching the semi-finals at this year’s World Cup.
And there’s definitely not been any hangover from supporters after the World Cup party ended, with Tony Gustavsson’s side to play in front of sellout crowds in Perth over the next week-and-a-half despite taking on low-calibre opponents.
The Matildas will face off against world No.63 Iran at HBF Park on Thursday, world No.44 Philippines at Optus Stadium on Sunday, and world No.38 Taiwan next week.
The two games at HBF Park, which has a capacity of 20,500 that can be increased to 22,500 with temporary seating, are already sold out.
The Philippines match was also meant to be played at HBF Park, but the rush for tickets resulted in it being moved to the 60,000-seat Optus Stadium.
With that game also expected to be sold out, about 100,000 fans will have gone through the turnstiles.
‘If you would have asked us five years ago if we thought that was going to be possible, I don’t think anyone would have said yes,’ Matildas midfielder Emily van Egmond said.
‘From when I first came in to now, is amazing. I hope it continues to go in the right direction.
‘I think the World Cup was something special.
‘And then to be able to come back together again and see the hype – it’s amazing the Australian public are getting behind this team.
‘The support was huge for us throughout that tournament, so hopefully it’s huge for us in these qualifiers, because it’s important for us to have strong performances.’
Hometown hero Kerr and vice-captain Steph Catley headline the 22-strong squad in Perth for the Olympic qualifiers.
World Cup duo Aivi Luik and Kyah Simon are unavailable due to injury, while there’s still some doubt surrounding goalkeeper Lydia Williams after was hurt while playing for Melbourne Victory on Sunday.
Van Egmond is a big name in her own right.
The 30-year-old sits fourth on the Matildas’ all-time games played list, and she recently won the NWSL Shield with her American team San Diego Wave.
But no one in the Matildas’ set-up comes close to the drawing power of Chelsea star Kerr, who will be mobbed by fans when she arrives in the west.
‘I dare say when Sam Kerr lands, it’s going to be a frenzy for her,’ van Egmond said.
‘I won’t be walking with her to any coffee shops.’
The Matildas must top their Asian group to be guaranteed passage to the next phase of qualifying in February.
