Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis have been exclusively pictured inspecting work on their dream oceanfront home in one of Perth’s most sought-after suburbs.

But their big property move could come with a sting in the tail for football fans.

The couple – whose baby boy Jagger was born in early May – were in the Matildas striker’s hometown as Kerr trained with the national side over the last two weeks.

Mewis could be seen holding a paint colour swatch with the words ‘Snowy Mountains’ written on it as she and Kerr examined the progress of the build. 

The stars purchased the block of land for $940,000 in August 2023, and now the 200-square-metre lot is rapidly taking shape.

Located close to the home of Kerr’s parents Roger and Roxanne, the new property isn’t far from her childhood home in the suburb of Kardinya, which was burnt down by her AFL star brother Daniel in 2021.

Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis were pictured last Monday inspecting the work on their three-storey beachside home in one of Perth’s most sought-after suburbs

Mewis was seen carrying a paint colour swatch with the words ‘Snowy Mountains’ written on it

Pictured: How work is proceeding on what should shape up to be a stunning South Beach home

The median house price in South Beach is approximately $1.9million – and given the size and newness of Kerr and Mewis’s pad, it’s fair to say it will come in north of that mark once completed.

The work is being done by builder JnT Homes, with the business priding itself on offering ‘personalised service and a one-on-one client/builder relationship’.

However, the couple’s visit to the project could foreshadow a big change that will leave Kerr’s fans cold.

The striker’s comeback from the horror knee injury she suffered in January last year has dragged on long beyond the expected recovery period, keeping her off the field for most of Chelsea’s successful defence of their Women’s Super League title.

Fans who hoped Kerr would be fit for the FA Cup final in May were left disappointed as she played no part in the defeat of Manchester United.

Instead, she jetted back to Australia for a surprise visit that saw her take in the A-League Women’s grand final.

The status of Kerr – who had previously been in camp with the Matildas in Sydney in March, but did not publicly train with the team – took a blow when new national team coach Joe Montemurro dropped a bombshell about her recovery in June.

He revealed that Kerr had been forced to undergo a second surgical ‘intervention’ on a fresh mystery injury.

The visit to the construction site comes at a time of huge change for the couple

The home will sit just metres from the beach (pictured) – and will also mean the couple will be living close to Kerr’s parents Roger and Roxanne

‘Look, I think there were some complications and I’ve only caught up with the scenario in the last 24 hours,’ he explained.

‘There was a subsequent intervention, but I do believe she is now back running.

‘I think it was something completely different [to the existing knee injury]. I think the knee is fine.

‘I think there was some other issues.’

This week, the Matildas released footage of Kerr training on grass – running and sharply changing direction – in a sign she is nearing full fitness. 

However, the serious nature of the anterior cruciate ligament injury, the complicated recovery and the fact that Kerr, 31, has been playing top-flight football since she was 15, all suggest that her time at the peak of the game could be coming to an end.

Chelsea were able to go undefeated last season and score a record 60 points despite being without arguably their biggest star.

Mewis also received disappointing news about her own career last week.

She took to social media to reveal she had parted ways with her WSL club, West Ham, after the team decided not to extend her contract.

The 34-year-old joined the Hammers in 2023, but only managed four appearances during her spell with the Women’s Super League club.

‘Even though my time at West Ham was not what I envisioned, I still learned so much and met so many amazing people,’ Mewis said.

Kerr’s childhood home – which was burnt down in a family tragedy – was a short drive from her new beachside pad

Once completed, the new home should be worth a lot more than the suburb’s $1.9million median house price – and serve as a forever home for Kerr, Mewis and their baby boy Jagger

‘Everyone, but especially my teammates, were incredibly supportive through my injury and pregnancy and I can’t thank them enough for it. Nothing has been more important to me than football… but having my son has changed that.’

The move came even after Mewis posted on Instagram about her efforts to return to training and continue her career.

There will be doubts over how Kerr will fare after such a long layoff with a significant injury, especially given the wear and tear of an extended career.

A stint back in Australia – where the pressure and standard of competition are not as intense as in England – would not be a huge surprise once her Chelsea career ends.

When you combine that with the update on Mewis’s football future and the rapid progress on their likely forever home, fans can’t help but wonder: is this building site visit a sign that a big change is coming for Australian soccer’s brightest star?