Matildas superstar Mary Fowler might be a household name in Australia and a future captain of her country.
But there is a big issue in the back of everyone’s mind (or at least everyone in the Matildas’ inner-sanctum) whenever she steps out for her country.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Cathy Freeman spotted celebrating Matildas’ Olympic qualification.
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The problem?
Fowler is used surprisingly quite sparingly by her club Manchester City.
In fact, the last time the 21-year-old started for the Women’s Super League giant was way back in October last year.
And she has only had a total of just 75 minutes across the club’s past five WSL fixtures.
Needless to say, it’s a very different scenario when the darling of Australian football plays for the Matildas.
After Aussies’ staggering 10-0 win on Wednesday night, Fowler finished Australia’s matches against Uzbekistan with two goals, an assist, her 50th Matildas cap, qualification for her second Olympics and, to cap it all off, a happy snap with sporting legend Cathy Freeman.
Now coach Tony Gustavsson hopes the young star’s performances — and those of some of her teammates — have also delivered a pointed message to clubs leaving some of his Matildas stars on the outer.
Fowler and out-of-favour Real Madrid winger Hayley Raso both scored in Wednesday night’s massacre at Marvel.
Fowler pulled all the strings while she also scored a stunning goal in Saturday night’s 3-0 win in Tashkent.
Then Olympics legend Freeman was among those watching on as Fowler was at the heart of everything in Melbourne, including notching a goal and assist, before catching up with the young gun post-match.
Fellow young gun Kyra Cooney-Cross has also had to deal with a lack of league game time at Arsenal, but played both full Matildas games.
“As a national team coach, you obviously are not in control of that whether it’s a loan or getting playing time — that’s a player selection and the clubs do it,” Gustavsson said.
“But what I am very, very impressed about is that there’s a lot of players that have lacked minutes coming into this environment but they still perform and that’s a credit to the player and also a credit to our environment.
“Because when you come into this environment with maybe a lack of minutes and form and lack of confidence, you’re valued, you trust the team and trust the tactics, and you’re able to perform with limited minutes.
“That also makes me a little bit less concerned because I know they can still deliver a performance in here.
“Would I love them to get more minutes? Of course, because that’s how players grow and get better.
“Club coaches watch international games and I think a lot of our players with these two performances send some very clear messages back to clubs that, ‘I want to play’.”
Alanna Kennedy, who is Fowler’s City teammate, wasn’t surprised at the 21-year-old’s star turn.
“It’s an exciting time for her, for all of us, to come back,” Kennedy said.
“To be able to play in front of Aussie fans and to play for the Matildas, … we just love it.
“So for her, I’m sure she’s so comfortable and just feels the freedom to be able to express herself on the pitch, regardless of whether she’s had the minutes at City or not, at club.
“But she’s just an unbelievable player and I think whenever she gets an opportunity she’s always gonna create something in any game that she plays. She’s an unbelievable talent.”
– With AAP
