16 months ago, during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™, Sharn Freier was in the stands watching a team that she was a "fan girl" of herself.
Now, after debuting in April this year, she looks like a player who may become a mainstay in the national team for years to come.
Freier spoke to the media after Australia’s 6-0 victory over Chinese Taipei over a whirlwind 2024.
“It’s been a very big year for me personally,” she said.
“The opportunities that have come my way have been quite amazing. To be honest, I get lost for words sometimes when I sit back and think about it.
“I’m just trying to take every opportunity I get and run with it, and hopefully do all I can to continue to be in environments like this.”
She made the step into the national team after starring for her hometown club Brisbane Roar over the last few seasons.
“In terms of training, everything is a step up,” she explained.
“It’s professional everything. The intensity is crazy, but that’s what is to be expected when you’re in your national team. It’s a step up that I kind of expected, but it’s a good one.”
Becoming a part of the team on the pitch has meant that Freier has become a star off it as well, particularly when representing Australia during international windows.
She said that it’s “unreal” to be able to play in front of huge crowds at home.
“My first camp was obviously overseas in America, and that’s still amazing,” she said.
“But to be able to play in Australia is unreal. I could only imagine [during] the World Cup, how they felt then because I’m so amazed when I just play here.
“The support we get, and how many fans there are, is quite a good feeling.”
The 23-year-old reflected on what she has learned since she became CommBank Matilda #228.
“The main thing for me, maybe, is putting the belief in myself to be like ‘okay, you’ve stepped up,’” she said.
“Just trust the people around me. The coaching staff who brought me in, they have a bit of belief in me as well.
“I think my confidence is growing, and accepting the fact that people do believe in me. I hope I can put that on myself as well, and have a bit more confidence every time I step out on the field.”
She said that she had been trying to avoid the media storm around her recent performances, but joked that her Mum made sure she was aware of any complimentary media.
“It doesn’t go unnoticed, because my Mum’s all about it, and she loves it!” Freier laughed.
However, full focus for the winger is on improving her game and never taking her opportunities for granted.
“I really don’t want to get ahead of myself,” she said.
“I just want to be able to be consistent and perform without being like, ‘oh, I want the next best thing.’
“I need to focus on doing what I can and taking every opportunity I get, and just go for it.
“I don’t know when I’ll get the chance to [play overseas]. It could happen, but I would rather just make sure that I perform, no matter what club I’m at – and right now, that’s Brisbane Roar.”