
More changes as Matildas aim to rebound from shock loss
Panama, ranked a lowly 56th in the world, produced one of their greatest wins on Saturday win beating the 15th-ranked Matildas 1-0 in Bunbury.
Montemurro, in his first international window as Matildas coach, had made a whopping 10 changes to his starting line-up for that match, and introduced four debutants off the bench.
It's all part of his wider plan to gain more insight into the depth in Australian women's football, and to see who can adapt to his possession-based game style.
Montemurro's reign started with a 3-0 win and a 1-1 draw against Slovenia before the shock loss to Panama.
The Matildas have looked disjointed in all three games, but Montemurro is confident the short-term pain will lead to long-term gain.
Australia entered the current international window without mainstays like Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry and Clare Wheeler.
Ellie Carpenter, Mackenzie Arnold, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Sharn Freier exited the squad after the Slovenia series, while Amy Sayer and Charli Grant were rested for Saturday's loss to Panama.
Sayer and Grant are expected to come in for Tuesday's game at HBF Park, but Alex Chidiac, Emily Gielnik and Kaitlyn Torpey have left to rejoin their respective clubs.
In an added blow for the Matildas, goalkeeper Teagan Micah has been ruled out of the final match of the international window after suffering whiplash in making a save on Saturday.
Montemurro doesn't view the shock 1-0 loss to Panama as a disaster, but says fans can expect more changes on Tuesday.
"You don't lose, you learn," Montemurro said on Monday when asked about the surprise defeat.
"It's a perfect opportunity to learn, because it's not a do-or-die game. It's not a game that we are going to lose points on or lose our status in a competition situation.
"I haven't really looked at it as a loss. I looked at it as more information for us to go forward.
"Obviously when you make a lot of changes like that, there is going to be a little bit of instability.
"But I still have belief in the process, I still have belief in the way going forward, and we've got a bank of information that will help us going forward."
Montemurro is looking for his players to display more football intelligence on Tuesday.
And although the current window is more about information gathering and the implementation of a new game style, he wants to end it with a win.
"We want to create the culture, we want to create the standards, we want to create an idea of football," Montemurro said.
"And obviously there will be a wider, extended look at where we are, where we're going with the squad - but we want to do it while we're winning.
"So a win is is important, like always."
Joe Montemurro has promised to ring in the changes yet again as his inexperienced Matildas attempt to bounce back to form in Tuesday night's rematch with Panama in Perth.
Panama, ranked a lowly 56th in the world, produced one of their greatest wins on Saturday win beating the 15th-ranked Matildas 1-0 in Bunbury.
Montemurro, in his first international window as Matildas coach, had made a whopping 10 changes to his starting line-up for that match, and introduced four debutants off the bench.
It's all part of his wider plan to gain more insight into the depth in Australian women's football, and to see who can adapt to his possession-based game style.
Montemurro's reign started with a 3-0 win and a 1-1 draw against Slovenia before the shock loss to Panama.
The Matildas have looked disjointed in all three games, but Montemurro is confident the short-term pain will lead to long-term gain.
Australia entered the current international window without mainstays like Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry and Clare Wheeler.
Ellie Carpenter, Mackenzie Arnold, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Sharn Freier exited the squad after the Slovenia series, while Amy Sayer and Charli Grant were rested for Saturday's loss to Panama.
Sayer and Grant are expected to come in for Tuesday's game at HBF Park, but Alex Chidiac, Emily Gielnik and Kaitlyn Torpey have left to rejoin their respective clubs.
In an added blow for the Matildas, goalkeeper Teagan Micah has been ruled out of the final match of the international window after suffering whiplash in making a save on Saturday.
Montemurro doesn't view the shock 1-0 loss to Panama as a disaster, but says fans can expect more changes on Tuesday.
"You don't lose, you learn," Montemurro said on Monday when asked about the surprise defeat.
"It's a perfect opportunity to learn, because it's not a do-or-die game. It's not a game that we are going to lose points on or lose our status in a competition situation.
"I haven't really looked at it as a loss. I looked at it as more information for us to go forward.
"Obviously when you make a lot of changes like that, there is going to be a little bit of instability.
"But I still have belief in the process, I still have belief in the way going forward, and we've got a bank of information that will help us going forward."
Montemurro is looking for his players to display more football intelligence on Tuesday.
And although the current window is more about information gathering and the implementation of a new game style, he wants to end it with a win.
"We want to create the culture, we want to create the standards, we want to create an idea of football," Montemurro said.
"And obviously there will be a wider, extended look at where we are, where we're going with the squad - but we want to do it while we're winning.
"So a win is is important, like always."
Joe Montemurro has promised to ring in the changes yet again as his inexperienced Matildas attempt to bounce back to form in Tuesday night's rematch with Panama in Perth.
Panama, ranked a lowly 56th in the world, produced one of their greatest wins on Saturday win beating the 15th-ranked Matildas 1-0 in Bunbury.
Montemurro, in his first international window as Matildas coach, had made a whopping 10 changes to his starting line-up for that match, and introduced four debutants off the bench.
It's all part of his wider plan to gain more insight into the depth in Australian women's football, and to see who can adapt to his possession-based game style.
Montemurro's reign started with a 3-0 win and a 1-1 draw against Slovenia before the shock loss to Panama.
The Matildas have looked disjointed in all three games, but Montemurro is confident the short-term pain will lead to long-term gain.
Australia entered the current international window without mainstays like Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry and Clare Wheeler.
Ellie Carpenter, Mackenzie Arnold, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Sharn Freier exited the squad after the Slovenia series, while Amy Sayer and Charli Grant were rested for Saturday's loss to Panama.
Sayer and Grant are expected to come in for Tuesday's game at HBF Park, but Alex Chidiac, Emily Gielnik and Kaitlyn Torpey have left to rejoin their respective clubs.
In an added blow for the Matildas, goalkeeper Teagan Micah has been ruled out of the final match of the international window after suffering whiplash in making a save on Saturday.
Montemurro doesn't view the shock 1-0 loss to Panama as a disaster, but says fans can expect more changes on Tuesday.
"You don't lose, you learn," Montemurro said on Monday when asked about the surprise defeat.
"It's a perfect opportunity to learn, because it's not a do-or-die game. It's not a game that we are going to lose points on or lose our status in a competition situation.
"I haven't really looked at it as a loss. I looked at it as more information for us to go forward.
"Obviously when you make a lot of changes like that, there is going to be a little bit of instability.
"But I still have belief in the process, I still have belief in the way going forward, and we've got a bank of information that will help us going forward."
Montemurro is looking for his players to display more football intelligence on Tuesday.
And although the current window is more about information gathering and the implementation of a new game style, he wants to end it with a win.
"We want to create the culture, we want to create the standards, we want to create an idea of football," Montemurro said.
"And obviously there will be a wider, extended look at where we are, where we're going with the squad - but we want to do it while we're winning.
"So a win is is important, like always."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Brumbies brothers join forces in bid to be Lion tamers
Hooper brothers Lachie and Tom will link for potentially the first and last time as ACT Brumbies as the Australian rugby powerhouse club plots another Lions taming. Scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan will captain the side, with Lachie Hooper's debut off the bench against the British and Irish Lions on Wednesday. It will be the 21-year-old's first chance to line up professionally alongside big brother and Wallaby Tom, who departs for England's Exeter Chiefs in the off-season. The Brumbies humbled the Lions 14-12 on their last visit 12 years ago, becoming the first Australian club to beat them since 1971. Wary of a repeat, the Lions have reinstalled lock and captain Maro Itoje and will start Bristol firebrand Ellis Genge in the front row, while Ireland's former Brumbies winger Mack Hansen earns a homecoming from the bench. "This year they were the leading Australian team in Super Rugby (making the semi-finals), so we are fully aware of the challenge in front of us," Lions coach Andy Farrell said. Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham hailed the talents of the younger Hooper, who he watched and helped develop over the years through the ACT rugby system. "We really wanted them to be here together, and we really wanted them to play together, and we just didn't get the opportunity this year," he said. "But hopefully everything goes to plan and they get on the field and they really enjoy not only the moment, but the way that we play the game." Tom, 24, returns to the starting side after playing 12 minutes in the Wallabies' ugly 21-18 victory over Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday, but several big-name Test players will be absent, including Rob Valetini and captain Allan Alaalatoa. "We've been planning for this for a while, and yeah, second row was certainly a position that we were a little bit light-on," Larkham said. Taming the Lions will be a tough ask for Larkham's inexperienced side. The tourists posted half-centuries against the Queensland Reds and the Force, and despite a strong performance from the NSW Waratahs still prevailed 21-10 in Sydney. Looking at the scorelines, Larkham conceded it was hard to argue that the Lions had yet to face a proper challenge in Australia. "Although I thought the Waratahs were pretty good on the weekend," he said. "I thought it was a very impressive game against the Reds. "We've learned a lot from that. We get the benefit of playing last so we get to see three of their games in Australia, they've had their Argentinian game as well, so we've sort of studied them quite closely. "We feel that we've had a pretty good run at our preparation compared to the other teams. "They (the Waratahs) came into the game with some tactics that worked pretty well, and we've learned a little bit out of the Waratahs game as well." Wednesday's game will also serve as a Brumbies farewell for Jack Debreczeni and Ben O'Donnell, who will join French side Aurillac on a two-year deal. BRUMBIES: Lington Ieli, Lachlan Lonergan, Rhys van Nek, Lachie Shaw, Cadeyrn Neville, Tom Hooper, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Ollie Sapsford, Ben O'Donnell, Andy Muirhead. Bench: Liam Bowron, Cameron Orr, Feao Fotuaika, Lachie Hooper, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Hudson Creighton LIONS: Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, Joe McCarthy, Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry, Jack Conan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Finn Russell, James Lowe, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, Tommy Freeman, Blair Kinghorn. Bench: Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Will Stuart, Josh van der Flier, Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Mack Hansen Hooper brothers Lachie and Tom will link for potentially the first and last time as ACT Brumbies as the Australian rugby powerhouse club plots another Lions taming. Scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan will captain the side, with Lachie Hooper's debut off the bench against the British and Irish Lions on Wednesday. It will be the 21-year-old's first chance to line up professionally alongside big brother and Wallaby Tom, who departs for England's Exeter Chiefs in the off-season. The Brumbies humbled the Lions 14-12 on their last visit 12 years ago, becoming the first Australian club to beat them since 1971. Wary of a repeat, the Lions have reinstalled lock and captain Maro Itoje and will start Bristol firebrand Ellis Genge in the front row, while Ireland's former Brumbies winger Mack Hansen earns a homecoming from the bench. "This year they were the leading Australian team in Super Rugby (making the semi-finals), so we are fully aware of the challenge in front of us," Lions coach Andy Farrell said. Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham hailed the talents of the younger Hooper, who he watched and helped develop over the years through the ACT rugby system. "We really wanted them to be here together, and we really wanted them to play together, and we just didn't get the opportunity this year," he said. "But hopefully everything goes to plan and they get on the field and they really enjoy not only the moment, but the way that we play the game." Tom, 24, returns to the starting side after playing 12 minutes in the Wallabies' ugly 21-18 victory over Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday, but several big-name Test players will be absent, including Rob Valetini and captain Allan Alaalatoa. "We've been planning for this for a while, and yeah, second row was certainly a position that we were a little bit light-on," Larkham said. Taming the Lions will be a tough ask for Larkham's inexperienced side. The tourists posted half-centuries against the Queensland Reds and the Force, and despite a strong performance from the NSW Waratahs still prevailed 21-10 in Sydney. Looking at the scorelines, Larkham conceded it was hard to argue that the Lions had yet to face a proper challenge in Australia. "Although I thought the Waratahs were pretty good on the weekend," he said. "I thought it was a very impressive game against the Reds. "We've learned a lot from that. We get the benefit of playing last so we get to see three of their games in Australia, they've had their Argentinian game as well, so we've sort of studied them quite closely. "We feel that we've had a pretty good run at our preparation compared to the other teams. "They (the Waratahs) came into the game with some tactics that worked pretty well, and we've learned a little bit out of the Waratahs game as well." Wednesday's game will also serve as a Brumbies farewell for Jack Debreczeni and Ben O'Donnell, who will join French side Aurillac on a two-year deal. BRUMBIES: Lington Ieli, Lachlan Lonergan, Rhys van Nek, Lachie Shaw, Cadeyrn Neville, Tom Hooper, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Ollie Sapsford, Ben O'Donnell, Andy Muirhead. Bench: Liam Bowron, Cameron Orr, Feao Fotuaika, Lachie Hooper, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Hudson Creighton LIONS: Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, Joe McCarthy, Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry, Jack Conan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Finn Russell, James Lowe, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, Tommy Freeman, Blair Kinghorn. Bench: Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Will Stuart, Josh van der Flier, Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Mack Hansen Hooper brothers Lachie and Tom will link for potentially the first and last time as ACT Brumbies as the Australian rugby powerhouse club plots another Lions taming. Scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan will captain the side, with Lachie Hooper's debut off the bench against the British and Irish Lions on Wednesday. It will be the 21-year-old's first chance to line up professionally alongside big brother and Wallaby Tom, who departs for England's Exeter Chiefs in the off-season. The Brumbies humbled the Lions 14-12 on their last visit 12 years ago, becoming the first Australian club to beat them since 1971. Wary of a repeat, the Lions have reinstalled lock and captain Maro Itoje and will start Bristol firebrand Ellis Genge in the front row, while Ireland's former Brumbies winger Mack Hansen earns a homecoming from the bench. "This year they were the leading Australian team in Super Rugby (making the semi-finals), so we are fully aware of the challenge in front of us," Lions coach Andy Farrell said. Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham hailed the talents of the younger Hooper, who he watched and helped develop over the years through the ACT rugby system. "We really wanted them to be here together, and we really wanted them to play together, and we just didn't get the opportunity this year," he said. "But hopefully everything goes to plan and they get on the field and they really enjoy not only the moment, but the way that we play the game." Tom, 24, returns to the starting side after playing 12 minutes in the Wallabies' ugly 21-18 victory over Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday, but several big-name Test players will be absent, including Rob Valetini and captain Allan Alaalatoa. "We've been planning for this for a while, and yeah, second row was certainly a position that we were a little bit light-on," Larkham said. Taming the Lions will be a tough ask for Larkham's inexperienced side. The tourists posted half-centuries against the Queensland Reds and the Force, and despite a strong performance from the NSW Waratahs still prevailed 21-10 in Sydney. Looking at the scorelines, Larkham conceded it was hard to argue that the Lions had yet to face a proper challenge in Australia. "Although I thought the Waratahs were pretty good on the weekend," he said. "I thought it was a very impressive game against the Reds. "We've learned a lot from that. We get the benefit of playing last so we get to see three of their games in Australia, they've had their Argentinian game as well, so we've sort of studied them quite closely. "We feel that we've had a pretty good run at our preparation compared to the other teams. "They (the Waratahs) came into the game with some tactics that worked pretty well, and we've learned a little bit out of the Waratahs game as well." Wednesday's game will also serve as a Brumbies farewell for Jack Debreczeni and Ben O'Donnell, who will join French side Aurillac on a two-year deal. BRUMBIES: Lington Ieli, Lachlan Lonergan, Rhys van Nek, Lachie Shaw, Cadeyrn Neville, Tom Hooper, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Ollie Sapsford, Ben O'Donnell, Andy Muirhead. Bench: Liam Bowron, Cameron Orr, Feao Fotuaika, Lachie Hooper, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Hudson Creighton LIONS: Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, Joe McCarthy, Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry, Jack Conan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Finn Russell, James Lowe, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, Tommy Freeman, Blair Kinghorn. Bench: Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Will Stuart, Josh van der Flier, Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Mack Hansen


West Australian
5 hours ago
- West Australian
Matildas superstar Sam Kerr joins training session in Perth as she continues road to recovery
Fremantle-born Matildas superstar Sam Kerr has stepped out to train with the squad in Perth for the first time during the national side's four-game stint in Perth. Kerr has not played a competitive game since rupturing her ACL during a Chelsea training camp in Morocco in January 2024. Her road back to the pitch has been long and full of hurdles, including a second round of surgery earlier this year and a UK court battle. However, fans will be buoyed by the star Aussie's inclusion during training at a wet HBF Park on Monday afternoon. The Matildas will face Panama in their final clash of the four-game stint on Tuesday, eager to make amends for the shock defeat to the No.56-ranked visitors in a historic Bunbury clash. The Matildas' captain is not part of the 33-player squad for the four friendlies, but the West Australian has been making the most of her homecoming. During Australia's first match against Slovenia at HBF Park, Kerr sent fans into a frenzy, and for their running shoes, with a pre-game signing session. The striker was the darling of the game's youngest fans as she gave everyone a taste of Sam-Kerr time with kids packing the eastern terrace and clamouring for their soccer hero's coveted signature, calling her name from the moment she entered the arena. Over the weekend, the 31-year-old also stepped out with her fellow soccer star partner Kristie Mewis and their new baby Jagger. The pair were spotted enjoying a relaxed brunch with Kerr's parents on Sunday morning, with Mewis pictured holding their two-month-old in a carrier. Kerr and Mewis began their relationship around 2020 before confirming they were a couple on social media in August 2021. They got engaged in September 2023, announcing it publicly two months later. Their engagement was followed by the news that they were expecting their first child in November last year. Kerr announced the arrival of Jagger Mewis-Kerr in May, writing 'Our little man is here' alongside a picture of the family of three. The proud mums have both shared pictures of the newborn on social media, including one that featured him in a onesie with a Vegemite print on it.


Perth Now
5 hours ago
- Perth Now
Kerr-ific news! Sam joins Matildas for training in Perth
The Matildas captain had a setback in her recovery from an ACL tear. Fremantle-born Matildas superstar Sam Kerr has stepped out to train with the squad in Perth for the first time during the national side's four-game stint in Perth. Kerr has not played a competitive game since rupturing her ACL during a Chelsea training camp in Morocco in January 2024. Her road back to the pitch has been long and full of hurdles, including a second round of surgery earlier this year and a UK court battle. However, fans will be buoyed by the star Aussie's inclusion during training at a wet HBF Park on Monday afternoon. The Matildas will face Panama in their final clash of the four-game stint on Tuesday, eager to make amends for the shock defeat to the No.56-ranked visitors in a historic Bunbury clash. Samantha Kerr warms up. Credit: Paul Kane / Getty Images The Matildas' captain is not part of the 33-player squad for the four friendlies, but the West Australian has been making the most of her homecoming. During Australia's first match against Slovenia at HBF Park, Kerr sent fans into a frenzy, and for their running shoes, with a pre-game signing session. The striker was the darling of the game's youngest fans as she gave everyone a taste of Sam-Kerr time with kids packing the eastern terrace and clamouring for their soccer hero's coveted signature, calling her name from the moment she entered the arena. Over the weekend, the 31-year-old also stepped out with her fellow soccer star partner Kristie Mewis and their new baby Jagger. Samantha Kerr at training. Credit: Paul Kane / Getty Images The pair were spotted enjoying a relaxed brunch with Kerr's parents on Sunday morning, with Mewis pictured holding their two-month-old in a carrier. Kerr and Mewis began their relationship around 2020 before confirming they were a couple on social media in August 2021. Samantha Kerr talks with Emily van Egmond. Credit: Paul Kane / Getty Images They got engaged in September 2023, announcing it publicly two months later. Their engagement was followed by the news that they were expecting their first child in November last year. Kerr announced the arrival of Jagger Mewis-Kerr in May, writing 'Our little man is here' alongside a picture of the family of three. Samantha Kerr warms up during an Australia Matildas Training Session. Credit: Paul Kane / Getty Images The proud mums have both shared pictures of the newborn on social media, including one that featured him in a onesie with a Vegemite print on it.