Mary Fowler’s Matildas exit sparks concern over urgent issue

Rejuvenated and back to winning ways, the Matildas are determined to test their mettle against Olympic silver medallists Brazil as they return to the scene of their big Women’s World Cup moments.

Australia’s 2-1 win over Germany last month, their first victory back under interim boss Tom Sermanni, proved a crucial morale-booster.

It also has the Matildas eager to prove it wasn’t a one-off.

“We have a lot of history with Brazil from major tournaments to knockout games,” star attacker Caitlin Foord said.

“Most recently, they won the Olympic (silver) medal. So, it’s going to be a great opportunity for us and a great challenge to come up against them.

“To do it here as well, I guess we haven’t played a really good opponent here in Australia for not a long time, but it will be in a while. So, yeah, it will be a good game.”

But they must make do without Mary Fowler and Cortnee Vine after the pair announced they needed breaks to manage their mental and physical health.

Vine made her call public before the squad was announced, saying “life has dramatically changed” since kicking the winning penalty against France in the World Cup.

Fowler withdrew over the weekend in what came as a significant shock to Australian football.

Foord said it is now up to the sport’s powerbrokers to come together for fresh talks over the calendar as the women’s game continues to expand.

“That’s the way the game’s going. There’s a lot more games. There’s a lot more demand on us to play,” she said.

“I mean, this is where every female footballer’s wanted the game to go and, yeah, the scheduling, that’s obviously up to the leagues and the federations to discuss on how that should be.

“But for us, to play games is all we’ve ever wanted.

“And the fact that players are able to take a break to improve their mental health and get their headspace right, that’s obviously a positive thing.”

The Matildas will be back at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday for the first of two friendlies against Brazil.

They also play the world No.8 on the Gold Coast on Sunday night, before flying to Melbourne for two friendlies against Taiwan next month.

Returning to Suncorp Stadium — the scene of that quarter-final win over France — will be a special occasion.

“It’s a weird one,” Foord said.

“It’s like mixed emotions here because we had such an amazing experience, obviously, with the penalty shootout and that game against France to then losing the final match (third-place play-off) against Sweden here.

“But I think overall the better memories will stay in your mind when we come here to Brisbane.”

The Matildas will celebrate retiring champion and games record holder Clare Polkinghorne in Thursday’s match in her home city.

“It’s massive. So honoured to be here and to share her final game with her,” Foord said.

“She’s been a part of probably every single one of my caps. She’s given so much to the game here in Australia.

“I’m just happy that we can give her off a great send-off like she deserves.”

- with 7NEWS