CommBank Matilda Chloe Berryhill reflected on the special feeling of being back with the national team after Australia’s 1-1 draw with Slovenia on Sunday evening.
Berryhill came off the bench in the second half to mark her first appearance for Australia since December, when her comeback game was cut short due to a concussion.
“It was awesome. To be able to get back in with a team, it's something special,” she said.
“It's always amazing to be able to represent your country and to do it with the girls that you love and admire so much, it's an honour.”
Berryhill, nee Logarzo, wore her new name on the back of a Matildas shirt for the first time after surprising her wife with the change at an A-League Women’s game in April.
“To do it with a new name on the back, I feel very privileged to be a Berryhill now,” she said.
“I will forever wear Logarzo on my sleeve, but I'm so proud.”
It’s been a hard road back to the national team for Berryhill, who has battled injuries and non-selection since rupturing her ACL in late 2021.
Her performances for Western United in the A-League Women have kept her in the national team frame as she continues to trust the process.
“My comeback story probably fits me perfectly - the first time I get back in, I get a concussion,” she joked.
“It’s all about character building for me, trusting the process and enjoying the process. It’s led me back to here. I've fallen in love with the game, out of love with it, and it's led me back to being here, and I'm so proud to be here.”
Her story shares many similarities to that of Emily Gielnik. Previous national team mainstays, injuries cruelled their dreams of participating in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ and the Paris Olympics last year.
Having Gielnik alongside her in this camp is something that Berryhill is grateful for.
“The struggles that we've been through in the last three years have been tremendous,” Berryhill said.
“Missing out on the World Cup, missing out on the Olympics, has brought us even closer, even though we were best friends already.
“To be able to be right next to her and go through this together, it's amazing what football can do. It can really unite you and bring you together. I feel so lucky to have a best friend like Emily Gielnik.”
She said that the team’s display on Sunday evening was promising as they look to build on what new Head Coach Joe Montemurro is trying to build.
“The result obviously doesn’t display what I saw on the pitch,” she said.
“We were in control of the game, considering the first game, I think we had a lot of improvements. We're working on new things that Joe's brought in, and I think the trajectory that we're going into is positive.”
She expressed that she was just looking to absorb everything she possibly could as she continues to learn and grow with the squad.
“Being back in front of the crowd and being back in the green and gold is so special,” she said.
Series Two
CommBank Matildas v Panama
Date: Saturday, 5 July 2025
Kick-off: 2.30pm WST / 4.30pm AEST
Venue: Hands Oval, Bunbury
TV Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: Buy Tickets
CommBank Matildas v Panama
Date: Tuesday, 8 July 2025
Kick-off: 6.00pm WST / 8.00pm AEST
Venue: HBF Park, Perth
TV Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: Buy Tickets